In The Midst Of The Storm

by R. Darke, Victoria, Canada | Category: General | Oct 1985

Quotations are from the New American Standard Version.

An American Christian lawyer had sent his wife and four children to Europe by boat when news was received that the vessel had been in collision with another in mid-Atlantic. It sank, with most of the crew and passengers losing their lives. He received a telegram from his wife which said: "Saved, alone". Their four children were lost. He sailed to join his sorrowful wife, and en route saw the place where the event happened. From the grim tragedy emerged the soul comforting hymn:

"When peace, like a river, attendeth my way1 When sorrows like sea billows roll, Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul",

It was written by Horatio G. Spafford, father' of the four lost children, who was given grace by God to pen the words. In the midst of the storm of family tragedy he knew the presence of the Man of peace.

So did the disciples when fierce howling winds and raging waves on Lake Galilee tossed their frail craft around as a cork; and the Master lay asleep on a pillow (Mark 4:36.41). It was not the first time these veteran fishermen had battled wind and wave; it was an expected hazard of their profession. But this storm seemed more fearsome; their skills were accomplishing nothing; they were at the end of their tether. "Carest Thou not", they cried to Him in their despair, awakening Him with their anxious touch. Of course He cared, but there needed to be aroused in them evidence of dependence upon Him. The cry, the touch, revealed this. So it is with us as we realize that things can never be out of control with "the Master of ocean, and earth, and skies". The Man of peace arose majestic from His pillow, and by the power of His spoken word commanded the winds and waves to cease their raging.

We live in a world where the lives of children and parents are being shattered by domestic storms. Sad to say, Christians are not exempt from this trauma. Many battle on bravely trying to cope, as the disciples in their vessel, but the need of help outside of ourselves is the reality that has to be faced. The Lord says to us, as He did to His early disciples, "for apart from Me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5), as He waits for the helpless cry and outstretched hand of faith. He wants to be in the midst of the storm so that He can say to the wearied, terrified wife, husband, children, "peace be still". It is by allowing Him to take control that the peace comes. "Faith sees Him always near". There must be an acknowledgement that He is able; that in Him as the Son of God there is the inherent power to solve and heal all problems, to still all storms.

R. Darke, Victoria, Canada | Oct 1985
General