4th March. 2022. Daily Devotion.
Psalm 107:23-26
23 Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. 24 They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. 25 For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. 26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.
Ships today are the largest moving objects that people have built. On November 30, 2020, the ONE Apus—a mega container ship the size of a city block—was sailing in stormy seas off the coast of Japan and lost 1,800 containers overboard. Many more lay crushed on the deck of the ship. It was a massive ship, and yet it was tiny and vulnerable compared to the mighty waves of a storm at sea.
We are right to fear the awesome power of the ocean. But we should fear even more the Lord, who created the wind and the waves.
The seafarers in our text saw the mighty power of God. Psalm 107 gives several examples of people who were in difficult situations and saw the power of God. People in desert wastelands, prisoners in exile and slavery, rebels with deadly diseases, and merchants at sea. All despaired for their lives, but they saw God’s power and he rescued them. The same God who stirred up the waves also brought these people “out of their distress.” God is the sovereign Lord of the universe; he created our world and sustains it.
This psalm celebrates the power of God. It should lead us to fear God in awe and wonder, knowing that he loves and cares for us. It should especially lead us to worship God for his wonderful deeds.
North American Maritime Ministry Association Montreal PQ.
Sovereign Lord, you are King over all creation. We are the people you have created. Show us today your wonderful deeds, your care of creation. Amen.
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days,
O shining light and enfolding dark.
Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills,
and all that grows upon the earth,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams,
O whales and all that move in the waters,
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild,
and all you flocks and herds,
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord
praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Book of Common Prayer, 1979, Episcopal Church, USA.
Loving God,
We pray for the people of Ukraine,
for all those suffering or afraid,
that you will be close to them and protect them.
We pray for world leaders,
for compassion, strength and wisdom to guide their choices.
We pray for the world
that in this moment of crisis,
we may reach out in solidarity
to our brothers and sisters in need.
May we walk in your ways
so that peace and justice
become a reality for the people of Ukraine
and for all the world. Amen.
