Shelter In the Time of Storm

You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the flood surrounded me; 

all Your billows and Your waves passed over me 

(Jonah 2:3)

Have you ever felt like you were in the middle of the ocean, far from the safety of shore, without a single bit of land in sight?  As if giant waves of fear and uncertainty were crashing over you, pushing you down?  All your efforts were in vain, and your strength was waning fast?

If so, you can probably relate to this words of Jonah and the psalm writer. Then, you may find comfort and encouragement in the following declarations from God's Word:

O Lord my God. For I said in my haste, ‘I am cut off from before Your eyes”;

 nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried out to You.

oh love the Lord, all you His saints!  For the Lord preserves the faithful…

...be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, 

all you who hope in the Lord

  (Psalm 32:22-24)

Be strong.  Have courage.  Wait.  Hope.  Expect.  These are God’s instructions for those times when we feel in over our head; our insides are tied in knots; the pressure in our chest makes it difficult to breath, and we have exhausted every available recourse to no avail.  At such times, comfort and assurance can be found in other passages of His Word such as these:

Why are you cast down, o my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? 

 Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God

 (Psalm 43:5)

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

So we may boldly say: “the Lord is my helper; I will not fear, 

what can man do to me?”

(Hebrews 13:5-6)

God’s words are always true, and He is faithful to His promises, as demonstrated in the lives of Jonah, David, and countless others. By relying on Him, we will be able to confidently echo the words of the psalmist:

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. 

He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay,

and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. 

He has put a new song in my mouth – praise to our God

(Psalm 40:1-3)

                                               Lord, when we feel the waves are crashing

                                               o’re our weary, frightened heads;

                                               when we see no chance of rescue

                                               in the waters just ahead;

                                               when we feel we’ve been deserted,

                                               left to flounder all alone;

                                               that all hope of shore and safety 

                                               from our hearts has surely flown;

                                               then we hear Your sweet old message

                                               that we’ve trusted in the past:

                                              “I am with you and will keep you

                                               until the storm is gone at last.”

                                               We remember You, the Master

                                               of the raging storm, is near;

                                               ready to protect and aid us;

                                              bring us safely to the pier.