23 Some went off to sea in ships, 
    plying the trade routes of the world. 
24 They, too, observed the Lord’s power in action, 
    his impressive works on the deepest seas. 
25 He spoke, and the winds rose, 
    stirring up the waves. 
26 Their ships were tossed to the heavens 
    and plunged again to the depths; 
    the sailors cringed in terror. 
27 They reeled and staggered like drunkards 
    and were at their wits’ end. 
28 “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, 
    and he saved them from their distress. 
29 He calmed the storm to a whisper 
    and stilled the waves. 
30 What a blessing was that stillness 
    as he brought them safely into harbor! 
31 Let them praise the Lord for his great love 
    and for the wonderful things he has done for them. 
32 Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation 
    and before the leaders of the nation.

Some went off to sea in ships, plying the trade routes of the world.

And they observed the Lord’s power in the storms deep at sea.

Sweet friends, verses 24-27 can be difficult to take in –

How could God, loving and gracious and kind, cause storms in our lives? Orchestrate events so that we are reeling and at our wit’s end?

How?

Because He loves us and He knows that our wit’s end is right where we need to be.

You see, when we reach the end of our wits, when we can no longer tell which way is up, that is when we surrender to His way. That’s when we stop looking to ply our trades in the waters of the world and seek His safe harbor. Sometimes God has bring us to our wit’s end so our dependence on Him can begin.

That’s when we recognize that worldly success, popularity, gain are not what life ought to be about and we cry out, “Lord, help!”.

And oh dear heart, He is quick to reply, to calm the storms with a whisper, to gather us into the safety of His arms (Psalm 91:1-16).

In all aspects of life, He is working things for the good of those who love Him, to grow us up and draw us closer to Him (Romans 8:28; Hebrews 9:14).

Has God gathered you from the waters of worldly striving?

Has He brought you into His safe harbor?

Speak up!

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!

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