Shipwrecked

Good morning, I hope you all rested well last night.

This morning I am going to share from my journal.

On June 3, 2024, I wrote:

"Some went out on the sea in ships, they were merchants on the mighty waters." Psalm 107:23 (NIV).

Odd verse for a journal entry, isn't it?!? I'm still on a mission to make my way through Psalm 107 and this happened to be the verse for yesterday morning.

When these men, most likely merchants who were in the pursuit of trade, were on the sea, perilous waters may be a part of the journey. Going out on the sea was a risk for a possible shipwreck.

Psalm 107:24 (NIV) states, "They saw the works of the Lord, His wonderful deeds in the deep."

The sailors would witness "wonderous works" of the Lord, as He would deliver them from the deep seas. Why?!?! Because He is sovereign over all things!

Life often tosses us about with the circumstances. Sea sickness arises due to the severity of the waves. Being tossed to and fro unable to get our bearings because the storm is so strong. Often when the storm comes, we believe it will last only a day, maybe a week, but then a month passes by, or a year, or four years, ten years, etc. What if the prayers seem to go unanswered for the days, weeks, months, or years?!? Do we give up, give in and quit? Nope! While we may want to give up, and feel God has left us behind, that simply is a lie from the enemy.

If we hang on to Him, we will truly see the works of the Lord. Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) states, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." As we walk in the deep waters or get tossed about by the sea, God has never left you alone. His sustaining presence and faithfulness will never leave nor forsake us. He will not leave you to perish, but He is with us on the sea. He sees our tears and hears our cries.

That was my journal entry, with some added dialogue that pertains to all of us. So, do you believe He is with you. Or do you believe He left you a long time ago to live in pain and distress, drowning...

Can I be honest?!? I have felt like He deserted me. Leaving me to drown. Oh, how wrong I was!! He was there the whole time. He caught my tears in a bottle. I did not always see Him to be faithful or feel His presence, but as this storm has lasted a lot longer than I wanted, I have seen Him to be faithful, feeling His presence and love. He was in my ship, in the tossing about, and even when it shipwrecked, He was there. Oh the goodness of God amazes me daily.

I pray you allow Him to love you. I promise you, He is in your story. He's not left you abandoned on the waves, stay close to Him and see the wonderous deeds He has and will do.

Shipwrecked but Saved by Jesus,

Veronica