Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-025 Sunday 04 Feb 2001

Reading: PSALM 48 – SECURITY FROM THE STORM

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

Think of a time when a storm raged in your life and give thanks to God for his protection.

The psalm opens with a statement of the greatness of God and we are invited into Jerusalem, the holy city, as a sanctuary from every sort of danger. The psalmist gives thanks for what God has done for his people. Specifically, he has brought about the rout of the enemies of Jerusalem, just as if they were ships blown ashore in a storm.

I once visited the town of Fort Dauphin, in southern Madagascar. It has a large, sweeping bay, and, right in the middle, is a half sunken ship. Around the perimeter of the bay are three more rusting hulks. I asked one of the local people to tell me what had happened. ‘Storm,’ he said. ‘About five years ago. They blew ashore.’ I could only begin to imagine the force of the storm that took out half a fleet in a single day. Fort Dauphin is a windy place anyway, so I suppose the sailors are careful, but this one beat them. Some force. The relics remain.

That’s the picture of verse 7. Memorials to a mighty force, that of a God who protects his people. What is an appropriate response?

The only appropriate response is faith. God is great, he has moved before, he can be relied upon again. The Jewish nation has suffered extremely, and some of them have given up looking to God. But, really, where else can they look? Where can we? There is no better place, person or creed for us to look to. The God of history, who rides the heavens: he is our God.

Think of some of the ‘memorials’ to events in your past and give thanks to God for the weathered storms of yesterday. Ask for increased faith for those of today and tomorrow.

– Ken Edgecombe

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001