IS IT SMOOTH SAILING. . . .

OR CAN WE RIDE OUT THE STORM WITH OUR LORD JESUS?


Psalms 107: 23/32

Others went out on the sea in ships;  they were merchants on the mighty waters.  They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep.  For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.  They mounted up the to the heavens and went down to the depths;  in their peril their courage melted away.  They reeled and staggered like drunken men;  they were at their wits end.  They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.  He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.  They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.  Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.  Let them exalt him in the in the council of the elders

(I would suggest you read the rest of that chapter - it is full of great stuff.)

This reminds me of that walk on the wild side with Jesus and Peter.  Jesus invited Peter to come out on the water.  He was encouraged to walk out of his comfort zone and knowledge that no one walks on a sea of water, especially during a storm, right?    Would you have responded to Jesus without question and just walked on the water?  Peter did, but as soon as he looked down, he started to sink.

There is another favorite story that goes with this concept of riding out a storm with Jesus.  It comes from a story about people visiting the tallest building in any given large city.  They are all at the top looking out over the city when some one tells them the building is on fire.  That would have been it for me right there.  Pass out time.  They look across from the tall building at another tall building.
They suddenly see that a line goes between the buildings.  On the other side is Jesus and a wheel barrel.  He comes across with that wheel barrel and asks you to get in, He will take back over to the safe side.  "Come on Shirley, get in!"  Are you getting this?

I love in Psalms where it says, " They reeled and staggered like drunken men, they were at their wits end.  They cried out to the Lord in trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. "  It is very bold and clear that we get all up in our shorts at times, right? 

All of this to say, there is a difference between knowing about God, or knowing God.  When you know Him, you will trust Him.  You will get in the wheel barrel, you will call out and know He is on the way.  You will know He can hold you up out on the stormy waters of life.  He will be in it with you.  To know Him is to be head down in His Word.  Applying His Word, and Living His Word.

Check yourself out here and decide - Am I doing my own smooth sailing my way, or am I  into smooth sailing even in the storms of life with my Lord, God and Savior.