It's such a beautiful morning here in Tennessee! I've opened all my windows already so I can hear the earth wake up, which is one of my favorite sounds.... As I stop to look and listen to the morning activity of creation, I am reminded of Psalm 24 verses 1&2 which say:
"The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods."
After reading those verses, I want you to consider something.... What difference does it make that the earth and everything in it belongs to God? In light of this psalm, what view should we have of ourselves? of the world? of the Lord Himself? I am reminded again of His great sovereignty over all that takes place within this world and how small and frail I really am! I am reminded that all of which takes place upon the seas and in the floods is under the control of our loving God!
Job 26:10, "He hath compassed the waters with bounds...."
Proverbs 8:29 says, "When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth."
Now in light of this understanding about the Lord, how do you think we should view those waters of affliction that come upon us while living in this world? The Bible says in our text today that what goes on in this world is founded and established on powerful forces of water! Have you ever been near the sea? It's an enormous body of water and the waves thereof can be very intimidating. The rapid rising of the flood waters can swiftly sweep anything away in it's path, sometimes driving people to the tops of their roofs while fearfully crying for help. When we apply this understanding to our lives as Christians, we can understand that our heavenly Father is going to use some pretty overwhelming circumstances to get our attention, amen? Will we remember during these times that God has everything under control, that He has set up specific boundaries for those waters in each of our lives? Do we rest in the fact that the circumstances that come upon us will not pass His commandment and watchful eye? What work does the Lord want to accomplish within us in using these powerful circumstances?
~FOUNDED UPON THE SEAS, ESTABLISHED UPON THE FLOODS~
He wants to find out what we are founded upon - faith or fear! He wants to establish our goings so that as His children we might no longer be tossed to and fro. Yes, the Lord desires that we are founded and established upon Him and His Holy Word....
Genesis 6:17, " And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh...."
Joshua 24:14-15, "Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
What was on the other side of the flood for Noah and his family was peace and prosperity, and so it will be for you and I dear lady. All we have to do is not lose hope when those flood waters rise in our lives and lean upon the God of all creation, amen? God is in control! He provided Noah and his family an opportunity to rest in Him for protection and we will be given that same opportunity as well. It is all His doing for a divine purpose.... Will you enter into the safety of the ark?? If you do, not a drop of water will touch you!
Psalm 29:10, "The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever."
Psalm 32:6, "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him."
Each and every child of God must learn to throw themselves completely upon the Lord in prayer and depend upon Him for deliverance during those overwhelming circumstances that come upon us while we dwell on this earth. Not just in times of trial, but also on a daily basis the godly can be found talking to the One they know commands the waters. The God who is able to cause havoc in the thunderstorm is also able to bring peace in the midst of that same storm, amen? Do you remember a time when you climbed to the top of your roof and cried out to God for help from the rising flood waters dear lady? I did and He rescued me! No need to drown in fear when you can float in faith.... Praise God, He wants to use that sea of water to bring death to our flesh and a solid foundation to our faith in Him! We must come to the place where we learn that that which is far out of our control can be tamed by God alone....
Psalm 66:5-6, "Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him."
Psalm 69:1-2, "Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me."
Psalm 89:9, "Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them."
You might not understand it at the time, but ladies, God sends the raging sea and the rising flood because He wants to prove how small we are, and then how big He is! When we finally get things in proper perspective we aren't as inclined to exalt ourselves against the Lord, amen? Our wise heavenly Father tames us with the storm first, and then tames the storm itself after that which He wants accomplished has taken place in our hearts. You see ladies, the Lord cares more about what is going on inside of us than He does outside of us! We cry out for help, but cannot be rescued until humility is established within us. Many a calamity has been sent to break our pride and purify our hearts toward the Lord....
Psalm 93:3-4, "The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves. The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea."
Jonah 1:4, "But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken."
No doubt about it, we've all got some "bad-weather" stories to share, amen? Each story proves that we were affected by a storm. I remember not long ago when the tornadoes came through Nashville and did much damage. Do you know what we witnessed? That nature responded to the commands of God! We were literally speechless while driving around looking at the devastation from the storm. When was the last time you were speechless?? Ladies, that's just the place the Lord wants us to be in, for then He has our full attention and we are ready to listen to what He has to say.... He wants us to respond to His commands as willingly as the winds do, amen? By the side of a storm, the God of this universe wants us to see that He has some amazing acts that He can perform in our lives just like He performed in creation! Will you let Him dear lady??
Mark 2:13, "And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them."
Mark 4:39, "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm."
Mark 4:41, "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Ladies, how does it make you feel to remember that you have a Savior who is greater than anything this world can throw at you? I find it a pretty comforting thought, amen? Why do we panic about the storms swirling around us when the God of the universe lives inside us?! It should make a difference in the way we react to them, amen? Such knowledge of God ought to strengthen, stablish, and settle us, yes, calm us - just as the wind was calmed at the presence of God in our verse above.... Once we are established and founded on faith in the Lord, nothing can shake us!
Luke 6:48, "He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."
How do you typically react when circumstances get out of control? Have you seen the power of God in your life during such a time? Have you been easily shaken or did you stand strong under the rising, raging waters? Often times it is necessary for us to go through scary times in life just so we can see the size of ourselves and the size of God. Understand that it's a time for learning from Christ, for allowing the Lord to teach us how to become founded upon the seas and established upon the floods! Allow God to help you handle your fears and frustrations during those difficult times.... Perhaps there are amazing acts God had done for you in the past dear lady that you need to thank Him for. Perhaps you need to strengthen your faith in God today. Is there anything you need to do to get ready for the next storm that hits your life? Whatever the case may be, may you seek out specific ways you can demonstrate your faith that God will see you through them!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
