The
ancient people of the nation of Axum (located on the Red Sea in modern
Ethiopia) discovered that the stormy winds of the monsoon season could be
harnessed by sail for speedy navigation. Rather than dreading the high winds
and rains, they learned how to navigate their way through the storm.
Psalm 107
provides a wonderful word picture of how God allows storms to come our way, and
then provides help for us to navigate through them. “He commands and raises the
stormy wind, . . . and He brings them out of their distresses” (Ps. 107:25,28).
Trusting
God for guidance in troubled times is a biblical theme. Hebrews 11 lists many
who used their problems as an opportunity to exercise faith and to experience
God’s grace, provision, and deliverance: “Who through faith subdued kingdoms,
worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched
the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, [and] out of weakness were
made strong” (vv.33-34).
Stormy circumstances are inevitable. Although our first reaction may be to run from the problem, we can instead ask God to teach us how to trust Him to navigate us through the storm.
