In the Hand of God

Charles Spurgeon once told a story about how, during a sudden storm, a woman on a ship became terrified. She was so distraught that she went to her husband, the captain of the ship, and cried, “I don’t understand how you can be so calm while I am utterly unnerved!”

Her husband calmly walked across his quarters and picked up his sword. He took it and aimed it at the center of her chest, but she only laughed. Then he asked, “Why aren’t you afraid of this sword? It could slay you in less than a minute.”

His wife replied, “I am not afraid of a sword that is wielded by the hand of my husband.”

“Neither am I afraid of a storm in the hand of my heavenly Father,” the captain professed.

In 2 Timothy, Paul writes, “[F]or God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). This is the same Paul who was stoned and left for dead, who was beaten to the point of death, and who was rejected and imprisoned. Yet, he wrote:

. . . when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. (2 Corinthians 7:5-7)

The security of God’s close presence, the warmth of His words to us, and the visitation of and care from friends are like a cup of cool fresh water in the heat of a fierce battle. God’s love brings hope to our heart. We can proclaim like the psalmist, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need Your words of encouragement today. The world is pressing in on me, but I know You are in total control. I thank You that Your perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Help me to comfort others with the comfort I receive from You in this season. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.