THE SEA HAS ITS MOODS.

During World War 11, my husband served as an orderly in a general hospital in Nazareth, Israel. With other Christian staff, he often travelled to Galilee for regulation rest days.

The green countryside, meandering roads, fishing villages festooned with fishing nets, and friendly fishermen refreshed the weary medico-soldiers.

An excursion on Lake Galilee revived the friends who hired a rowing boat, pushing out from the shore. They aimed hopefully to get to the other side of the tranquil lake. The men took turns at rowing, sharing their knowledge and understanding of the scriptures. They recalled how the Lord encountered people at the lakeside towns of Capernaum, Bethsaida, Magdala, and Tiberias. Nor could they forget that awesome occasion when the disciples took ship to the other side of the beautiful Sea of Galilee.

Although the men enjoyed the excursion and the company, they were unaware that heavy grey clouds had overcast the once blue sky. Suddenly, swirling winds whooshed down from the distant Syrian hills and churned the waters of the previously calm lake.

In a moment, heaving waves tossed the little boat, compelling my husband to cry out to the living God to protect them. Yes, they were fearful for their safety. Watchful fishermen had seen their plight, and alerted the Police who constantly scrutinised the lake. They saw their dilemma, as the boat vanished in each trough of the wave, reappearing at its crest. How long could they hold on before they would be swamped? Each one prayed sincerely for God’s protection. It seemed an eternity before they glimpsed the black launch as it cut through towering waves to reach them kilometres distant. The diesel engine throb heartened them as it approached; and throwing a rope, they urged them to hang on while it powered through mountainous seas to Capernaum. I shall never forget those hours.

God made the sea and the dry land; and HE appointed the bounds of the ocean. Each individual wave has its appointed path, whether in calm or stormy seas. Should a single wave be tagged on the shores of Victor Harbour, South Australia, it would eventually break on the beach in California, USA. Yet, as hot air rises, the wind rushes in to fill the gap, changing the calm sea into a raging storm, often causing damage and loss of life.

Pregnant, I was so seasick on the stormy passage across the Great Australian Bight, that I doubted I could endure. However, after such satisfying years in Indonesia, we returned to our home in Australia on the final voyage of the ’Niew Holland. In a delightful, smooth, uneventful voyage, we sailed from Surabaya, Singapore, Sydney, and finally to Melbourne.

During the voyage, the hostess of the ship talked often with us, interested in our life and reason for living in Indonesia. She confided her great longing for peace with God. With the calm voyage, we spent much time together, talking of God’s love in giving His Son as our saviour.

On the ship’s final voyage to Singapore, a missionary occupied our former cabin. With her loving witness, this kind hostess spoke of the stormy restlessness, exchanged for a peaceful sea. The wind of the Holy Spirit united her heart with the living God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. She subsequently committed her life to God openly at the Billy Graham Crusade in Sydney 1959; and she served her Lord for many years.

Life’s storms still rage. The sea has its moods like the changing circumstances of our lives. Like that police rescue launch on Galilee, there is One in authority, who is constantly on call and available to rescue us in the waves, high winds, and storms - if we allow HIM.

Jesus promised HIS disciples that they would go to the other side of the lake. When the storm overwhelmed them with fear of drowning, they doubted they would survive because Jesus was asleep. ‘Does HE not care about us,’ they wondered. And then Jesus awakened.

He gently rebuked them for they lacked faith, but with authority, HE stilled the storm and the waves. ‘Peace, be still.’ Relief and joy at the Lord’s command.

Yes, life has its storms and crashing waves, but we trust the Pilot, the Lord Jesus Christ, who promised to help us in every situation, so that His peace and strong Presence rescue us in the events of life.

HE promised, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you.’