Same Storm Different Boat pt2

Scripture: Mathew 8: 23 – 27 23 Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves: but He was asleep. 25 And His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We are perishing!” 26 But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27 So the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”
Despite what experiences say, the biggest and strongest storm in our lives is sin. The hymn, Love Lifted Me, written in 1912 by James Rowe likens the idea of sinking in water to sinking in sin. The lyrics literally speak about Jesus rescuing us from sin and was inspired by the Bible passage of Mathew 8: 23-27. That Bible story tells us of a day that Jesus and his disciples were in a boat when a storm hit. Mathew 8: 23-27; shows the fear of the situation, the need of a savior, and the grace and mercy of the Lord toward the Believer’s unbelief. In the scripture, we see the waters of the sea overtaking the boat, filling it which could cause it to sink. Without help, the boat will sink killing its occupants. Consequently, sin does the same thing. Sin enters our life and consumes us and will ultimately kill us if we are not rescued. The fatal situations that sin stirs up causes fear; and fear causes us to act irrationally. Without a savior we are doomed. Ironically, some have been freed from sin but still get entangled in its chains. These persons have a savior but sometimes forget or doubt His power to break chains, to change lives, to calm storms. Nonetheless, in a moment of clarity, the Believer calls out to Christ to be rescued lest he perish. Consider this verse: while we were sinking deep in sin love lifted us.
(1)I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me
(2) All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
In his blessed presence live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs;
Faithful loving service, too, to Him belong. (Refrain)
Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His Love out of the angry waves;
He’s the master of the sea, billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today. (Refrain)
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for not appreciating Your love, Your grace and Your mercy by practicing sin. Lord, thank You for lifting me with love out of the waves when I was drowning in sin. Lord, thank You for allowing me back when I knowingly went back into that sinful water. Thank You, Lord, for loving me so much that You gave Your life so I could live. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
By Patricia Towns
(1)I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Refrain
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, Love lifted me
(2) All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling,
In his blessed presence live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs;
Faithful loving service, too, to Him belong. (Refrain)
Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves;
He will lift you by His Love out of the angry waves;
He’s the master of the sea, billows His will obey;
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today. (Refrain)
Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive me for not appreciating Your love, Your grace and Your mercy by practicing sin. Lord, thank You for lifting me with love out of the waves when I was drowning in sin. Lord, thank You for allowing me back when I knowingly went back into that sinful water. Thank You, Lord, for loving me so much that You gave Your life so I could live. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
By Patricia Towns
Archive
2023
January
MOVING INTO A NEW YEAR AND LEAVING YOUR BAGGAGE BEHINDEncouraging You in the New YearA Veteran StudentAll of God’s Gifts Are Wrapped in JesusThe Gift that Keeps on GivingA Faith That’s Signed and SealedI Remember Grandma (Part I)I Remember Grandma (Part II)Roots Growing DeeperSTANDING IN HIS PEACEBE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part I)BE WARY OF COMPARING! (Part II)TIE A YELLOW RIBBON...[Part I]TIE A YELLOW RIBBON... [Part II]The One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IThe One That Got Away [Until Now] Part IIThe One That Got Away [Until Now] PartWINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part I]WINTER, ALREADY ?! [Part II]HE KNOWS!Godly Hope vs. Positive ThinkingHope DeferredCalled To Endure!The Greatest Expectation!The Ear and Eye GateCourage, Saints!!Getting to Know Him- Little By LittleSame Storm Different Boat pt2The Apron of ServanthoodGetting to Know Him- Little By LittleConfess It as Sin!
February
People Are Laughing Out Loud at My BibleMe, Myself, and I (Depression)I Have to Qualify to Run the RacePreach, Preacher!Does He Know You?LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part I)LESSONS FROM A LOWLY HOUSECAT (Part II)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part I)God’s Obedient Wild Kingdom (Part II)PRAISE God for WITNESSES!Sock LintSock LintNO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part I)NO GAS! NO BRAKES! SAY WHUT?! (Part II)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part I)THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE (Part II)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part I)Having The Faith to Favor And Follow A Faithful God (Part II)MORE THAN 'SUPER,’ MORE THAN 'HERO'!HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part I)HE IN WE, AND WE IN HE! [where 'we' can also be 'me'] (Part II)MAKE FEBRUARY THANKSGIVING HISTORY MONTHTAKE HEED HOW YOU WALKTrust and ObeySpiritual ImmaturityMake It PersonalCain was Able and So are YouClimate Change
March
Loving My SpouseStop! In the Name of Love!Ask Not, Have Not!Beneficial GraceThe Incomparable ChristRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IRECEIVE The CHIEF CORNERSTONE! Part IIDETRIMENTAL DELAYSFootprints On the Mountainside Part IFootprints On the Mountainside Part II...I SMELL SMOKE IN THE AUDITORIUM...The Heartbeat of His HeartThe Wayward and The ObedientThe Potter and His Vessels of ClayGod Can Use Anybody!You’re Canceled!Today’s Assignment!There You Go, Again!I Messed Up!The Worker and The Work!Repent and Obey!God Can Reach Anybody, But Will You?Wonder Working PowerThere is Work for You to Do!Yes, God Does Reveal Himself to Us!Now Hear ThisImperfect, But Usable!Preach the WordGod Can Save AnybodyThe Hard WordThe Message of Salvation from God
3 Comments
Amen. One of my favorite songs. Love lifted me. Thank you sister Towns for this encouraging devotional!
Amen, Sis. Pat! What manner of love the Father has shown us, that He sent His only begotten Son to save those who believe on His name!
Always good to pause and enter His rest, which is love itself, and discover our own flourishing, even as the storm presents itself, even as we are tossed. Knowing the lifting of God's love is blessing! Shabbat shalom.