02192022 Reversals

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God of great reversals. God can dramatically change situations. He can take what is upside down and turn it upright again. Psalm 107 recounts several stories of reversals.

In some of these stories, the people are in trouble because of their own rebellion and sinfulness, but that is not the only reason one might find himself in a challenging and desperate situation. V. 23 is about “they that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters.” There is nothing in the passage to indicate that these people are not going about business as normal, doing what they ought to be doing. They start the day unaware of the calamity that is about to overtake them through no fault of their own.

I especially want to focus on vs. 28-30. “Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.”

In these three verses there are four words that describe their difficulty. Do you see them? Trouble. Distresses. Storm. Waves. A great storm had arisen while they were out engaged in their business. Notice the vivid responses. “Their soul is melted,” “they reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end” (vs. 26-27). This is not a good day. This is not a manageable situation.

Things changed, however, when they cried out to God. There are also four words that describe the response after God intervened (well, three words and a phrase). Can you spot them? Calm. Still. Quiet. Desired haven. What a difference God made! These men are no longer reeling and staggering. They are no longer completely overwhelmed, not having any idea what to do. No, now they have great peace.

In addition to the calm, still, quiet peace, God also brought them to their objective. From complete chaos, they are now able to resume their business just as they had set out to do.

How many times has God done this for us? Sometimes because of our own rebellion and sinfulness? Yes. Sometimes as trouble has overtaken us within the normal course of life and ministry? Definitely.

If there is a mighty storm raging for you, I pray that God will accomplish a mighty reversal, that He will give you great peace, and that He will enable you to effectively resume whatever good and right purpose you were pursuing before the storm descended. He is the Master of storms!

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (v. 31).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA