November 18, 2022

Psalm 107:23-32 Some went out on the sea in ships;
    they were merchants on the mighty waters.
²⁴ They saw the works of the Lord,
    his wonderful deeds in the deep.
²⁵ For he spoke and stirred up a tempest
    that lifted high the waves.
²⁶ They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
    in their peril their courage melted away.
²⁷ They reeled and staggered like drunkards;
    they were at their wits’ end.
²⁸ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he brought them out of their distress.
²⁹ He stilled the storm to a whisper;
    the waves of the sea were hushed.
³⁰ They were glad when it grew calm,
    and he guided them to their desired haven.
³¹ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind.
³² Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people
    and praise him in the council of the elders.

This portion of Psalm 107 shows the majesty and grandeur of the seas and oceans. The power of the wind and the waves and the quiet calm. The psalmist praises God for His sovereignty over the elements of nature He has created. Over the power of the tempest, the sailor’s cries for help can be heard. God does answer and delivers the sailor to their safe haven. We may not be sailors, but we can relate to God’s power. We know that God is greater than any force of nature we face, any crisis we are involved in or any person or thing that threatens us. No matter what the circumstances God desires that we find an attitude of gratitude within the pain because we know for certain that the things of God are not temporal but eternal. The things of God are treasures and are held safely in His care for us. I am reminded of Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Where are your treasures stored? Through faith in Jesus we can have the assurance of salvation and the power of God in us! We have eternal life with Jesus. No one can take that away ever. Jesus promised in John 10:28 “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” We are safe in the arms of Jesus not matter how big the storms of life!

A truth to claim with thanksgiving: I am saved through faith in Christ Jesus. Here are some wonderful verses to claim as you revel in the thought of being saved and loved for eternity by Jesus. John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus is the way! John 10:9  “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.” Jesus is the gateway to a saving relationship with God. Romans 5:9-10 “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” John 3:16 is a promise from God for all eternity “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.“

Knowing Jesus, we can be safe for all eternity, covered in His love, redeemed and delivered from the penalty of our sin which is eternal death. Jesus is the way! Praise God today for your salvation and God’s protection as you weather the storms of life each and every day. Being assured that all your precious heavenly treasures that are sealed and saved for you in heaven.

Linda