Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out from their distress; he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.” vss. 28-29
Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32
The seas have always held a fascination for those who lived along their shores. Thousands of years ago we discovered that the oceans held a great storehouse of food, fish of every kind, and we built boats and used nets to harvest their riches. Bit by bit we developed trade routes and learned to navigate to distant lands by using the stars as a guide. But sailors quickly learned that waves combined with winds could be treacherous, and those who went to sea in ships were well aware of the danger. This psalmist certainly knew how dangerous the sailing life could be and even wrote a prayer that vividly described the fear of those caught in a storm far from shore. Their plea is simple, “Oh that the Lord would make the winds to be still!” While not many of us can know what it’s like to be in a sinking ship, at least not literally, nearly all can identify with it metaphorically. We know what it’s like to be buffeted by unseen forces and about to lose control. It happens so fast in daily life. One moment we’re enjoying smooth sailing and in the next we’re struggling to stay afloat. Those are scary times, and often, purely by instinct, we cry out to God for our salvation! And when stillness comes, our hearts are filled with thanks!
Thought for the Day: What’s it like on a “sinking ship”?
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