Three times in Ephesians chapter 6 the
Apostle Paul encourages us to “stand firm” and also to “be
strong” and to “persevere.” It's so easy to lose our bearings
and to “lose heart” (let our emotions run wild) when we are in the
midst of a storm. (Galatians 6:9). God doesn't promise smooth sailing
on calm seas while navigating our lives on earth. We need to stay the
course faithfully.
We can't always avoid the wind and the
waves. We must go through the storms and endure until they pass by.
The medical news may not always be positive. The skill of doctors has
limitations. Our prayers for our health are not always answered in
the way we would wish. Inevitably our human bodies, our “earth
suits,” become disordered and grow weaker instead of stronger as we
age. God can heal us but He doesn't always do so. We may inevitably
need to be healed from the need to be healed. We don't see the
big eternal picture that God has destined for us. We must simply
trust that “[Heavenly] Father knows best” and is working out the
perfect plans for our lives, although it may not seem so perfect to
us while we are on the earth side.
One thing is sure: we are not alone in
the storm. Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)
Like the disciples in the sudden violent storm who were gripped with
fear for their lives, we overlook the fact that Jesus is in the
boat with us. We may panic because He isn't doing anything about
our dilemma—just sleeping. He stilled the waves and calmed the
storm in due time in His own way. Psalm 12:6-8 assures us that we
should never be shaken, that our heart should be steadfast, trusting
in the Lord. Then our heart will be upheld and we will not fear evil
tidings.
The Psalmist gives us a vivid
description of a horrendous storm in Psalm 107. We could become
seasick just reading it. I call it the wits' end psalm. We all have
wits' end experiences. But it ends well. “Then they cried to the
Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses.
He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were
hushed. Then they were glad because they were quiet; so He guided
them to their desired haven.”
Another violent gale which the Apostle
Paul described blow by blow in a you are there fashion in Acts
27. He used the word for what we call a nor'easter. The disabled
ship was tossed about for 15 days until all hope was lost for the
crew and passengers of soldiers and prisoners. Paul was one of the
prisoners being transported to Rome for trial. God gave Paul a vision
and a promise that all their lives would be saved, but the ship would
be totaled. He told them all to keep up their courage, not to be
afraid, that he believed God. “And they all were brought
safely to land.”
Our human, mortal “ship” will one
day also be “totaled” (there are no exceptions!) but our soul,
our “space suit,” will be brought safely to the haven of Heaven.
Jesus promised, “Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God,
believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling
places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare
a place for you.” And JESUS IS A PROMISE KEEPER.
No comments:
Post a Comment