WHO does not love the sea, the ships, the great waves and the sandy beach? Come and let us gather some lessons from God’s own Word about the sea and its wonders. There is, first of all,
The Troubled Sea
Have you seen the sea in a storm? How the waves dash against the shore, casting up all sorts of wreck and weeds from the troubled depths bow! This is God’s own description of the sinner—restless, troubled, unsatisfied. No peace, no rest for his soul—and there will be no rest in hell for ever. I think as you look upon these “raging waves of the sea” (Jude 1313Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. (Jude 13)), that this is what is within the sinner’s breast; or, what is within your own, if you are yet unsaved. And when the storm of death and coming judgment arise, what trouble, what restlessness must then be yours!
You have all read or heard the story of the little boat on the Sea of Galilee, tossed in the storm, almost ready to be swamped by every rising wave. The trembling disciples cried out for fear, and their cries awoke the sleeping Saviour, who calmly arose from His pillow, in the hinder part of the boat, and rebuked the proud waves, saying, “Peace, be still.” Then we are told they were hushed to rest, and there was “a great calm.” This is how it is with the sinner who has believed on Jesus. He believes Jesus has died for his sins upon the cross; he is at peace with God; his soul is at rest. What a change from the storm, and the fear of perishing! As the hymn says,
“So have I seen a fearful storm,
O’er wakened sinner roll,
Till Jesus’ voice, and Jesus’ form,
Said, ‘Peace, thou weary soul.’ “
Sunk in the Deep Sea
Look at the deep blue sea. Drop a pebble over the side of the boat, and it is gone, down—down—down! You cannot see it; it is gone to the bottom to be seen no more. God says He has cast something into “the depths of the sea.” What is it? Do you know? Thank God, our sins—the sins of all of those who believe in Jesus. They’re gone forever. He will remember them no more. They are “out of sight, and out of mind”; sunk like lead in the mighty waters. How far down? “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:1212As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12).
Dear young friend, are your sins still on you, or are they forever gone?
ML-09/13/1964