Of late I have been noticing references to fear connected with the sea in the Scriptures. We can learn lessons from these passages, and find encouragement in the Scriptures.
Acts 27:24 – In the midst of a storm on a ship headed for Rome, Paul is told by an angel that his prayer is heard: he need not fear. And though previously Paul had perceived that lives would be lost, God regarded his prayer and saved alive those with him in the ship as well. May we pray in our storm!
Matthew 14:26 – The disciples saw the Lord Jesus walking to them over the water of a stormy sea and were afraid, thinking He was a spirit. But the Lord’s reassuring voice came to them, “It is I. Be not afraid.” His voice was enough to give Peter the courage to walk out on the storm to meet his Lord. The Lord’s presence is all we need through the storm! Our fears have no substance if He is with us.
Jonah 1:4 – Jonah finds himself in a storm after disobeying God, and brought fear into the lives of those who were with him. Jonah told them the sea would be calm if they threw him overboard. God’s storms are for a reason. May we be pliable in God’s hand, willing to confess our faults, and open to His correction and guidance.
The Psalmist speaks of God as our refuge in the storms of life. We need not be afraid when the Creator of all things is our Protector! Yea, even if the enemy appears to prevail, we know that He is still in control of the sea.
Psa 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psa 46:2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Psa 46:3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God
The life of our Lord tells us of how He dispelled fear:
-At the Lord’s coming, the angels proclaimed “fear not” (Luke 2:10).
-While the Lord was on earth, He spoke peace to a number of individuals, including Simon Peter the fisherman.
-As the Lord entered Jerusalem, the words of the prophet were being fulfilled: “fear not… thy King cometh” John 12:15.
-At the Lord’s resurrection, the angels again spoke words of assurance. (Matt. 28:5)
-The Lord Jesus appeared to his own who were assembled in fear and greeted them with “Peace be unto you” (John 20).
Yet to be our refuge, the Lord Jesus had to endure the storm for us. He could cry with the Psalmist while on Calvary’s tree:
“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.” (Ps. 69:1-2)
His sweat and tears like rain fell from his face as He prayed earnestly in the garden. Blood and water flowed from His side as He endured the thundering wrath of Almighty God upon the cruel tree. The waves and billows rolled over His suffering soul, and He sunk all the way into death and the grave. How great was the cost for our peace! “The chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)
How grateful ought we to be for this Captain of our Salvation, who went into death for us! “Ye that fear [reverence] the LORD, praise him!” (Psalm 22:23)
What has the Lord said to His own?
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
And what shall we say then?
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
Am I sorrowful? He is the God of ALL comfort (2 Cor 1:3)
Am I inadequate? We always have ALL sufficiency in ALL things in Him (2 Cor 9:8)
Am I unable? He is “able to do exceeding abundantly above ALL that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20)
Am I uncertain? “We know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ” (Rom 8:28)
Am I discontented? “…ALL things are yours” (1Cor. 3:21)
Am I lonely? “I am with you ALWAY” (Matthew 28:20)
Do I sin? “…having forgiven you ALL trespasses;” (Col 2:13); “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from ALL sin.” (1John 1:7)
Surely those things that we lack, which matter, are found in our risen Head. He is the Altogether Lovely one in whom all fulness dwells. As our heart is taken up with Him, the beauty of His person will be all our desire, and His beauty will rise from our hearts as a sweet savour to our heavenly Father. Then as our hands are filled with Christ, His love will be perfected in us. “Perfect love casteth out fear.” (1 John 4:18)
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Calm in the Storm
(Rejoice – the Wilds Music)
When your life seems like a tempest, when the waves beat on your breast,
when the wind is hurling ’round you and there is no place to rest,
Then you look out through the shadows and you see Him looking too,
saying “Hush” – not to the storm, but saying “Hush” now to you…
When your life seems overwhelming, when your nights seem hard and long,
When the burdens seem unending and the enemy a throng,
Through the Word the Savior’s saying firmly, calling tenderly,
“Peace be still” – not to the storm, but “Peace be still” now to you…
Hasten now, O weary pilgrim, don’t you fear, and don’t you doubt.
Would you trust your gracious Savior though your life seems tossed about?
Oh, remain within the tempest, seeing Jesus in the way.
May the trial to you be precious as you trust Him and obey…
Trust the One who’s walking on the water.
Trust the One who’s leading through the storm.
When you cannot see the shoreline, when there is no goal in sight,
Would you focus on the certainty that all will be alright?
Trust in Him who made the tempest.
Trust in Him though tossed and torn.
Trust the One who walks on water, in your storm.
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