Strategy in the Storm

“They that go down to the sea in ships… are at their wits' end.  Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses… unto their desired haven.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” (Psalm 107:23-31).  “Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said… Be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.  For there stood by me this night the angel of God… saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.  Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.  Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island” (Acts 27:21-26).

Our God has a strategy in every storm

Exceeding the wit and the wisdom of man.

When we have forsaken the plans that we form,

We’re able to see God’s superior plan.

Sometimes we must come to our wits’ very end

To cry to the Lord at the point of despair.

There’s no one but God on whom we should depend,

And only on Him we may cast all our care. 

The Lord has delivered our soul from distresses,

For He is the Lord of the wind and the waves,

And so by the storm of His power He blesses

As we are thus taught that our Lord alone saves.

Consider the ship on which Paul had been sailing: 

He lived in God’s presence, and so did not fear.

When all of the shipmaster’s plans were then failing, 

Paul stood in their midst and said, “Be of good cheer!”

Wherever God sent him, there Paul was at home. 

The ship was his pulpit; the island was too,

And soon he would also be preaching at Rome. 

He knew the Lord’s promise and counted it true.

Step back for a glance at the Lord’s strategy: 

That island to which they would come was not planned,

But God was in charge of the storm in that sea,

And Paul had a mission from God on that land. 

O Lord, when we think of Your merciful ways

And wonderful works to the children of men,

We cannot contain our expression of praise:

We’ll sing it on earth and in heaven again!