H for Harbour
As we sail through the sea of life, we soon learn that it is not all plain sailing!
We encounter storms, turbulence, and a variety of other conditions. Some are challenging, some are life changing, some are life giving. But none of them are unknown to God or beyond his reach, for he is everywhere. The verses from Psalm 107 below, encapsulate this:
‘Some of you set sail in big ships; you put to sea to do business in faraway ports. Out at sea you saw God in action, saw his breathtaking ways with the ocean: With a word he called up the wind— an ocean storm, towering waves! You shot high in the sky, then the bottom dropped out; your hearts were stuck in your throats. You were spun like a top, you reeled like a drunk, you didn’t know which end was up. Then you called out to God in your desperate condition; he got you out in the nick of time. He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves. And you were so glad when the storm died down, and he led you safely back to harbor. So thank God for his marvelous love, for his miracle mercy to the children he loves. Lift high your praises when the people assemble, shout Hallelujah when the elders meet!’
Psalm 107:23-32 (The Message)
Just as boats and ships need harbours where they can moor safely in a sheltered port, so we too need time and places where we can go, to rest and recover, after traversing choppy waters.
Read the verses above again and think of a time when you encountered a ‘storm’.
- What was it?
- What happened?
- Where did you go?
- How did you manage in the circumstances?
- How did God meet you in the midst of the storm and what did you learn about yourself, others and God through it?
- Then take time to thank and praise God for his provision for you.
You may like to close by listening to the song Oceans (where feet may fail) which features on the United album by Hillsong. It is available on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy9nwe9_xzw)