1124. The Great Storm

The Great Storm

"But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.

"And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive" (Act_27:14-15).

We do not feel that we need to hesitate concerning the lesson presented to us by the tempestuous wind which beat against the boat which put out to sea against the advice of Paul.

The winds represent the false doctrines of men.

1. A passage which is worthy of consideration is found in Eph_4:14.

This is what endangers the world to-day. The apostasy from the faith has come. It is not an apostasy outside the church, but one within. From thousands of pulpits, the Deity of the Lord, the Cross of Christ, and the blessed hope of the Lord's return is being denied.

2. There is a passage in Jude, Eph_4:12-13, which may be mentioned here:

"Clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; wild waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved for ever."

The men who decry the Lord Jesus Christ, the men who have gone in the way of Cain denying the Blood, are described here as "clouds without water, carried along by winds." They are "raging waves of the sea, foaming out their shame." What a graphic picture and how true! False teachers–empty clouds, swept by false winds; false teachers–raging waves of the sea dashing madly, rushing wildly against the Word of God. No wonder a ship sailing on such a sea would be overwhelmed! Yet this is just what confronts the voyager of today.

3. In Mar_4:37-41, there is a description of another storm.

This time a little boat lies upon the bosom of the waters of Galilee. In that boat the Son of God lies asleep; against that boat there beats a great storm of wind and waves, until the ship is about to sink. One of the disciples rushes to the Master and says, "Master, carest Thou not that we perish?" How majestically did Jesus Christ arise, how calmly did He rebuke the wind as He said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" "And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."

"Master, the tempest is raging!

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness,

No shelter or help is nigh;

'Carest Thou not that we perish?'–

How canst Thou lie asleep,

When each moment so madly is threatening

A grave in the angry deep?

"The winds and the waves shall obey My will,

'Peace, be still!'

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea,

Or demons, or men, or whatever it be,

No water can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies;

They all shall sweetly obey My will;

'Peace, be still!"'

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR