“You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them”–Psalm 89:9
My Dear Ones in the Lord Jesus Christ,
The eighty-ninth Psalm is a magnificent song of praise the Sovereign God who made an everlasting covenant with David (see vv. 3-4). While extolling the unfailing nature of this covenant promise, the author (Ethan, the Ezrahite) also reveals the nature of the God who is able to make such an eternally valid and enduring promise. This is made especially evident in verses 5-9 where Ethan beautifully employs the loftiest of human language to set forth the power and awesomeness of the Lord.
Of course, we know that this Old Covenant promise was ultimately fulfilled in the One who came from heaven as God-Incarnate, and who now rules over a Kingdom of infinitely greater grandeur and glory (see vv. 24-29 where this is stated prophetically).
In verse 9, however, we read of the ability of our God to exercise His sovereign will over the “raging the of sea” and the surging if its “waves.” While this might not register with us to the same degree it did the Old Testament saints, we should remember that in their minds the “sea” was a dimension of created reality that was ruled by evil. There were dark and mysterious forces at work in the world’s great oceans and other bodies of water. Sea monsters lurked there, such as “Leviathan” (Job 41:1; Psalm 104:26). The malevolent powers of chaos were to be found there as well, along with untold dangers awaiting all who ventured upon the waters.
Yet, with all its power and shadowy hazards, the domain of the “sea” was and is fully under the reign of the One who is “awesome above all” (v. 8). The Awesome One rules the seas and makes the tempestuous waves fall flat! There is no power in heaven, on earth, or even in the world’s great waters that may stand against Him! All who are under His Lordship, and who place their trust in Him, are safe and at peace!
But there is even more to consider as we reflect upon these words from Psalm 89! And this is where our encouragement for this new Monday is to be found.
The Gospel of Matthew records a very familiar incident involving Jesus, the Disciples, and the Sea of Galilee. While traveling across the lake in a small boat, Jesus and the Disciples were engulfed in a great storm that suddenly arose with such ferocity that the Twelve were terrified (even those among them who were seasoned fishermen by trade!). Then, as Matthew 8:25-27 says, the frightened men . . .
went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?”
At that moment, with the little vessel now floating peacefully upon the once surging waves, the Disciples made the connection between their Master and the Sovereign One praised in Psalm 89. This “man” named Jesus was the great “I Am”! He was and is the One who is King of the seas, and the awesome Lord of all creation! He need only speak His effectual Word and all of the powers of darkness bow in submission!
The picture painted by this episode is an accurate depiction of our everyday life as servants of Jesus. The life of the Church is like a trip with our Lord across the seas. In this world there are dangers galore, and mysteriously evil forces at work that would otherwise frighten us out of our wits! Our little boat, our Church, to which we are all committed by sacred vows to Jesus and to one another, is oftentimes bouncing in the waves, under the constant threat of destruction, and in need of persistent protection.
But Jesus is with us! The King of All sails with us! He is the Commander of the waves, the Sovereign Lord of all monsters and storms! And all who belong to Him and His beloved flock are always safe, no matter what their emotions might tell them! He will not lose even one for whom He died and rose again! His will for each of His precious sheep will be fulfilled, despite all opposition against Him and His Eternal Kingdom of righteousness and peace! And He is, for His own glory and our good, still rebuking “the winds and the sea” (v. 26). demonstrating to us again and again the infinite superiority of His power and grace!
Whatever storms or waves might come our way today or this week, let us all rest assured that He still rules “the raging of the sea”! And “when its waves rise,” He shall “still them” yet again!
You are my joy and my crown! I love you all with all my heart!
Mike
Next Up: Psalm 90