Psalm 89:9 You rule the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, you still them. I. None who saw the sea, and the destruction it caused, could fail to realize THE HELPLESSNESS OF MEN IN PRESENCE OF THOSE FORCES BY WHICH WE ARE SURROUNDED. The spectators could only wonder. Life was in jeopardy: it was saved at the risk of life. All honour to the men who applied their knowledge of the ways of the sea; that, with their own lives in their hands, they sought to save — and succeeded, too, in rescuing — their fellows from a watery grave. II. THE GOODNESS OF GOD IN RESTRAINING THOSE FORCES AGAINST WHICH WE ARE SO HELPLESS. There is a point beyond which they cannot go. True, there are controlling laws. If the sea, rising under the influence of the sun and moon, reaches a very high point, it is stayed by other forces from going farther. But whence do these forces derive their existence? Not in the material itself. It is the working of His power. "He rules the raging of the sea," etc. Thus we discover order and design in the whole range of God's works; if one force presses downwards, others press upward; if one force imperils the existence of men, another force controls it; if in one direction there is danger, in another direction the means of safety are found. III. THE UNCERTAIN TENURE ON WHICH MATERIAL GOOD IS SECURED TO US. In every combination there are seeds of destruction in the material itself. IV. GOD IS EVER PRESENT IN THE VARYING CONDITIONS OF OUR LIFE. Can He be present in that storm? Did He see the danger of those who stood in peril of their life? No, He could not be there, is the hasty conclusion of most of us. When His waves overwhelm us can He be there? Did not the sea break loose from His hand? No; He rules the raging of the sea. There is a certain extent in which it can remove from its ordinary course, but then it is as much under control as when, with its smooth and glassy surface, it lies basking in the summer sun. And why? Because by His laws He is there. The force is His force, whether it be a storm or calm. Does He, then, destroy? No; the destruction is only to that which trespasses on the sea. His object is health, and the storm is the action of opposing forces restoring their equilibrium, working out purposes of sovereign skill. But God is there. What a consolation and strength! (H. W. Butcher.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.WEB: You rule the pride of the sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them. |
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