0539. Delivered From Raging Seas

Delivered From Raging Seas

"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still" (Psa_107:29).

Psa_107:23-30, bring before you one of the most beautiful pictures penned in the Word of God. The picture is that of the mariner.

"They that go down to the sea in ships,

"That do business in great waters;

"These see the works of the Lord,

"And His wonders in the deep.

"For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind,

"Which lifteth up the waves thereof.

"They mount up to Heaven,

"They go down again to the depths;

"Their soul is melted because of trouble.

"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man,

"And are at their wit’s end."

Illustration: The most beautiful sight we have ever seen, was out at sea, three days from New York city. Just at the dying of the old year, a hurricane had broken upon us. For six hours our captain turned the prow of our steamer toward the storm. We made no headway, we merely held our own. As we saw the foaming, maddening waves sweeping over our ship, tossing it hither and thither as a feather, we understood as never before, the marvelous power of God. Our hearts were awed, we cried unto the Lord and He heard us. Following the storm, there came a calm. The sea quieted down; like a tamed beast, it cowed, it stilled its roar. We came into New York city on a sea as smooth as glass.

This was the experience of disobedient, gainsaying Israel. She had her experience of storms. She knows what it is to be tossed upon the waters of affliction; waters which mount to Heaven and duck to hell.

It was on Galilee that the disciples, who had faced many a storm, met perhaps the greatest storm of their lives. In the hour of their distress, Christ left the mountain top and came walking on the waves. "They received Him into the ship and there was a great calm, and the ship was immediately at the land whither they went."

Israel has her greatest storm ahead. The day of Jacob’s trouble is future. No ship has ever tossed as Israel is destined to toss. But we thank God, that when the winds and waves are about to overwhelm her; when she is almost engulfed, her Lord will leave the mountain top (the Father’s right hand); He will come forth walking on the waves of her affliction. Israel will receive Him into the boat:

"Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble,

"And He bringeth them out of their distresses.

"He maketh the storm a calm,

"So that the waves thereof are still.

"Then they are glad because they be quiet;

"So He bringeth them unto their desired haven."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR