Lashed to the Mast
There is general agreement that our passage for today was written in 716BC just after the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the miraculous narrow escape of the Southern Kingdom. The Assyrians had been encamped on Jerusalem's doorstep and then miraculously withdrew. Four lepers went to surrender to the Assyrians only to discover that the Assyrians had fled in haste! It was a tumultuous time.
This verse is part of a hymn celebrating God's goodness and it urges people to put their trust in Him. Peace is available to those who will steadfastly trust in Him. It is not about Bible knowledge, theology, good behaviour, church attendance, or church activities. It is about trust.
The common conception of peace centres on the idea of absence. We have peace when trouble is absent, when conflict is absent and chaos is absent. But God's peace does not work like this. God's peace is different. It is a concept of presence. In the midst of trouble, conflict, and chaos God is with us.
Our steadfastness in faith is like the sailor who lashes himself to the mast in a storm. The storm rages, but the sailor is secure. When we fasten ourselves to God-with-us then we will experience peace in the midst of our storm. He is determined to be with us and carry us through. Peace is ours if we will look beyond the circumstances and trust that He wants to be with us and help us. Look not at your circumstances but to a God who will do what it takes to be with us.
If you ever doubt it - just look at the cross!
| You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. (Isaiah26:3-4) |
