“He made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed. Then they were glad that the waters were quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven.” (Psalm 107:29-30, ESV)
What started out as a peaceful and enjoyable opportunity to do a little fishing in the Gulf of Mexico turned quickly in a way that neither of us wanted to experience!
While preaching in a gospel meeting a number of years ago in south Texas, we got up early one morning to drive over to the Gulf. I have never forgotten what happened that day.
A storm came up out of nowhere … the winds began to blow, the waves began to rise and fall and rocked the boat in a very scary “I-don’t-like-this” kind of way! We tried to make it in closer to the shoreline to minimize the high waves and turbulence, but the storm just kept pushing us out away from the shoreline.
I literally watched as the wind and waves buffeted us to the point … well, to the point that the screws began popping out of the housing that encased the steering mechanism. With each new screw coming loose … well, you get the picture!
We did make it back to the harbor just as the Coast Guard was preparing to come looking for us! Now, keep in mind, I am supposed to preach that evening, and I did! All that I can tell you is I have never watched an audience rise and fall as I did that evening!
I don’t believe my hands ever released their grip from the steadying provided by the pulpit.
Life can be that way, can’t it? Out of nowhere a storm arises and with it comes uncertainty … fear … danger … and the thoughts of ‘will we make it through this storm … this situation … this challenge present themselves.
I will be the first to confirm I’ve had those moments of fear and uncertainty … and you probably have as well. You know what I’m talking about … when we are almost paralyzed by what’s taking place around us! And we wonder privately or out loud, “Lord, I don’t know how You are going to solve this fearful situation!”
Now, what each of us knows to be true, but find it harder to put into practice, is the truth that God will be with us. He never promised to always calm the storm, but He has promised He will be there with us!
I find the observation made by C.S. Lewis to be most applicable for us in our present distress when he said, “Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties.”
The writer of this particular psalm describes in various illustrations all that the people of God had endured as a result of their disobedience to Jehovah! The language used in this passage is actually some of the most graphic and powerful terminology in the Scriptures. The crew had done everything that could be done to save the ship, but nothing worked, so they called on the Lord for His help!
Here is the point of this passage and of this article: Not only did the Lord still/calm the waves and the storm … He also guided them to the right port/haven! My friends, this is exactly what our great and loving Heavenly Father promises to do for us, but we must learn to trust Him more than we already do!
Yes, there are times when doubt surfaces in our hearts and minds … when we are humbled to our knees. The longer that I am blessed to live … the more I understand the need to pour over God’s Book … each word … each phrase … and I have learned that there is to be found a divine antidote for all of my fears!
We must not forget the omnipotence of our Great God or any of His other attributes that are perfect in every way. And so, as David so fully understood when he penned, “Teach me Your way, Lord, that I may rely on Your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name.” (Psalm 86:11) Let each of us “go thou and do likewise!” and then our “desired haven” will be ours for eternity!
“Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes He allows the storm to rage and calms the child”
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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