Some distress calls to God. Psalm 107 [Part 4]..

Others went out on the sea in the ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. Psalm 107:23-26

We are the merchants of God. We live on the mighty waters. This world is a mighty water which sometimes remain calm and sometimes become violent like the sea. As merchants we are here to pass on the most valuable message in the world, about salvation. But as we do so we might come into trouble. We might see some great works of God in our lives. We see people in whose life God worked wonderfully. As we travel around these waters, God may stir up some tempest to test us and to make his power known in our lives.

Moses returned to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me? Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble upon this people, and you have not rescued your people at all. Exodus 5:22

Moses received the calling of God. He was shown great wonders and signs. He was encouraged to go into those mighty waters with all the impressive wonders God put in his hands. The calling was the valuable thing Moses had. He was commissioned to show the precious signs he received from God to his enemy Pharaoh, to redeem the people of Israel. Likewise, in our lives we may receive some treasured things from God. It might be a message, miracle, testimony, or a gift of the spirit. And it is your duty to take some risk and acquire some people for God. Remember when we do so it might not go smoothly. As Moses said in this verse, God has not brought any relief to His people but more trouble to them. God does so that the people and the enemy witness the great hand of God.

“But sir,” Gideon replied, “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?” But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian.” Judges 6:13

 Gideon heard about the great wonders done by God. Like Psalmist says in Psalm 107 ‘They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep.’ God chose Gideon to deliver Israelites from the hands of Midian. He was strengthened by God by showing wonderful signs. His encounter with God and the strength God put in him was his possession. He was sent off by God to the mighty waters. He took the risk and got hold of the Midian camp. As one of the Soldier of Midian testifies, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.” (Judges 7:14)

We might not know the value of the thing handed to us by God but the enemy sure does know the prize. Hence, if we have received something from God then be sure to take some risk and acquire something for God.

When we take the risk, our life will be full of highs and lows. We may come to our wit’s end. All our courage will melt away. There would be no other way to go. As in Moses’ life, standing before the red sea a normal human’s wit may come to an end. There God starts to sew another brilliant work which people would remember in awe. In all those times when we make that distress call, He will still all storm to a whisper. And He will guide us to our desired haven.

So be ready to take the risk and be a merchant just like the merchant mentioned in Psalm 107. Receive from above and give to others what you receive. Contribute to the economy of heaven. The mighty waters will be whispered to silence when we make that distress call. For His love endures forever. His love will sustain us, while we wait in the QUIVER OF GOD.