FATHERS ON DECK

No Christian is immune from the storms of life. The transforming power of God’s grace does not come with a guarantee that we will be free from difficulty and trial. Yet we are assured of God’s abiding presence and mighty power to calm our fears and hold us secure when we face times of trouble. One night an unexpected storm swept over a passenger ship sailing from England to New York, tossing the ship violently and awakening everyone on board, including the captain’s 8-year-old daughter. "What’s the matter?" the frightened child cried. After her mother explained about the storm, she asked, "Is Father on deck?" Assured that he was, the little girl snuggled back into her bed and in a few moments was sound asleep. Although the winds still blew and the waves still rolled, she had peace because her father was at the helm.

Although the squalls of life strike us, we are assured of our Father’s presence. He controls our lives and upholds us with His right hand. We may not dodge the storm, and the winds may still blow, but the Master of wind and wave is on board. And if we trust Him, He will either calm the waves or quiet our hearts.

Whenever I feel that Christ is near, all cares and sorrows flee; He is my strength, my hope, my life, He’s all in all to me