Pearls of the Kingdom 3/15/2023
Read through Psalm 107 today. See if you recognize a common thread through these verses.
Can we then turn our focus today on these verses.
Ps 107:23-32 “Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves, They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.”
I have shared before that our “Christian Walk”, “Faith Journey” is like a ship that navigates the seas. For me I see a similar application when considering the changing seasons of life with a ship that navigates the many changing conditions, challenges and obstacles of navigating the seas.
Consider the ship sailing out from safe homeport with cargo stored, headed out navigating the seas towards its destination. The seas can change in a moment of time. Clear and Sunny days can become darkened with clouds filling the skies. Dark clouds can produce rain making visibility difficult. Calm seas can be moved to powerful seas with waves rising and falling causing the ship to be tossed to and fro. Once favorable winds are now too strong and risk damage to the mast and sails moving the ship at times aimlessly. More than the weather, the storms, one must be ever watchful for pirates. Those who are looking to capture the ship to rob and steal its cargo. If the weather, storms and pirates were not enough, one must be always alert for shallow waters and the risk of the ship becoming shipwrecked on the rocks and breaking apart.
Like a ship, our faith journey will have its challenges. There will be seasons and times to navigate through. With these challenges that we may encounter, I believe we can draw some hope, some confidence from Psalm 107:
“The Lord’s is good, His love endures forever. He hears the cries of His redeemed in their times of troubles, He is mighty to save and rescue, He is able to bring them out of the darkness and break any chain, He is able to heal, He is able to still the winds and calm the seas, He can turn the desert places into pools of water, He is more than able to lift those up and out of their distress, He is able to satisfy those who are hungry and thirsty with good things and bring them to a safe place of rest.
I write to you today my friends, to those who find they are in the midst of a storm in their “faith journey.” For each, this storm may look different but the concern and hope is the same.
My friends, wherever you find yourself today, May you experience the love and comfort of the Lord today, His love for you endures forever,