Welcome to Bible Beach--and the Pounding Surf!
Welcome, Paul...and sorry, there's no beach in immediate view. As a matter of fact, all there is, is the boat you're on and it's breaking apart. The surf is pounding fiercely, the boat's in pieces--no postcard picture here to send home. Paul, you're not afraid? I hear you saying to the frightened sailors, "I believe God"--and you know what, Paul? You were right. I read in the Bible how you didn't drown in that storm. You swam for dear life and you made it--onto the shore, with a great sigh of relief, and great praise to God, I'm sure!
Sometimes our boat's out in the middle of the pounding surf...no shore to be seen. The waves keep beating against our frail, little boat--but you know what? We can "believe God," just as Paul did...He survived that outrageous storm and those overwhelming waves...He made it with his faith in God, a broken piece of the boat, and a lot of prayer. And so will we...never mind the pounding surf; God doesn't plan to let you drown--He's going to bring you to shore, just wait and see!
'Bye to Bible Beach--and Welcome, Shifting Sand!
Welcome, Abraham, to the shifting sands of life! Sorry--no beach today! You thought you had it "made in the shade," but God had other plans. He's thrusting you out onto the searing, shifting sands; you have no idea where you're going, and sure, it's sand, but it's DESERT sand--hardly a beach here! Besides, that sand is hot on your feet, and a handicap in your eyes...how in the world did you get here, Abraham? Following God sure doesn't look like a trip on firm ground--or IS it? God's ground is always firm--it's His Word and whether the sand shifts beneath you or not, Abraham, your soul is steadfast on that unshakable Rock of His Word, and you're going to be just fine! You believed it--and you were right, for we read your name in the Bible's Hall of Fame...you made it, sandy feet and all!
Sometimes our feet encounter shifting sands--and we shy away from the desert experiences. Why not! We're human--and humans don't LIKE desert experiences. But they're good for us--hot sand, specks of sand in our eyes, thirsty souls, and all--it's worth it. For when we travel with God across the shifting sand, He trudges along with us. HE provides the sandals of peace, the soothing ointment for sore eyes, the refreshing drink for thirsty souls--He becomes our All in ALL in the desert, and that's exactly where He wants us. Just to follow Him, like Abraham, in unquestioning, unfaltering, unbreakable faith. The ROCK is just beneath us, unseen below the shifting sand, and it will not let us fall. God doesn't plan a sandstorm to blow you away--He's going to bring you through, just wait and see!
Back to Bible Beach--and the Stormy Sea!
Welcome, fishermen, to the stormy sea! Peter, James and John, stop shaking! Can't you see beyond the storm--look below, the Savior, the MASTER of the sea, is in the boat with you! Oh, I know, He's sound asleep but if HE, the Creator of the sea, is in your boat, why should you fear? You thought life was one smooth sail--a fisherman's paradise--but today it looks more like "Paradise Lost." Now WHY would your beloved Master let that happen? So He could prove to you--and to all of us down through the ages--that HE is Master of the sea--AND the hearts of men. He can calm the storm on high seas--or in your heart! And, by the way, we've read the rest of the story in God's Word, and WE know you're going to be just fine, fishermen--just wait and see!
Sometimes our fishing boat's out in the middle of the stormy sea. We DON'T know the end from the beginning; we don't know which end is up! Concern turns to anxiety; anxiety turns to fear; fear turns to panic and we scream, "Jesus, HELP! I'm drowning!" And Jesus, not now asleep in our boat, but at the right hand of the Father, hears the cry, smiles and says, "My child, I'm teaching you to trust Me...just a few more ups and down, winds and waves--I'm watching, and I'm waiting for you to lean on Me. If you lean close enough, you'll hear Me whisper, "Peace, be still," and you too will know the final calm of the fishermen that day on Lake Galilee. I am going to bring you through--just wait and see!"
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