Have You Gone to the Deep?

by Victoria Gaines
Published August 30, 2006

"Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; they have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep." ~ Psalm 107: 23-24

I'm learning to grasp (ever so slightly) that every trial that comes my way serves only to push me closer to Jesus, if I but trust. We struggle to stay 'safe' and cling to the shores of familiarity. But it's a blessed thing to step into the waters of faith, to be carried out into the vastness of the stormy sea where no human can rescue us. How can I say that? Because there, in the deep, He latches onto me. There, in the deep, I have to turn my fears over to Him. You see, I can't even swim! And so this is my journey--floating out to sea on the waves of uncertainty and trusting my Life Preserver to keep me close until He brings me home.

From Streams in the Desert this morning, I read:

"He is but an apprentice and no master in the art, who has not learned that every wind that blows is fair for Heaven. The only thing that helps nobody, is a dead calm. North or south, cast or west, it matters not, every wind may help towards that blessed port. Seek one thing only: keep well out to sea, and then have no fear of stormy winds. Let our prayer be that of an old Cornishman: "O Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water. Here we are so close to the rocks that the first bit of breeze with the devil, we are all knocked to pieces. Lord, send us out to sea--out in the deep water, where we shall have room enough to get a glorious victory." ~ Mark Guy Pearse.

"Remember that we have no more faith at any time than we have in the hour of trial. All that will not bear to be tested is mere carnal confidence. Fair-weather faith is no faith." ~ C. H. Spurgeon

Lord, that we would trust you in everything--not just when life is manageable, but in the midst of the tidal wave. Thank you for the grace that enables us to to trust you more dearly.

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