Fast, Faithful and Furious
[Ether 6:5-7] - Even the righteous must endure fierce winds and waves
[Ether 6:5-7] 5 And it came to pass that the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind. 6 …they were many times buried in the depths of the sea, because of the mountain waves which broke upon them, and also the great and terrible tempests which were caused by the fierceness of the wind. 7 And it came to pass that when they were buried in the deep there was no water that could hurt them, their vessels being tight like unto a dish, and also they were tight like unto the ark of Noah; therefore when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.
Just a personal side-note, this whole chapter is chock full of choice wisdom for how we should live our lives. I look forward to writing much more about this Jaredite Journey in my other column which is about my own personal journey to the Promised Land. I hope that wherever you are in your Scripture Study, you find strength and wisdom in every verse!
In (v4) the Jaredites were commanded to set sail for the Promised Land and “commended themselves to the Lord.”
They had built barges, packed them with provisions and were now setting sail for the Promised Land. One would think the hardest parts were over. They had proven themselves faithful in building the barges and in setting sail, what could go wrong?
The Lord didn’t spare them from having to endure the winds, waves and whales.
Just because they were doing what was right and even headed in the right direction, doesn’t mean they wouldn’t face oppositions— “Terrible Tempests”, “Fierceness of the wind” (v6) Nevertheless, He prepared and protected them against them.
Instead of complaining, they trusted and turned to praising.
Yes, it was uncomfortable in the barges compared to being on the beach. But they knew enduring this journey, even with it’s throes, foes and fears, would be worth it and that God would bless them in the storms and deliver them.
What winds, waves and whales are you facing in your life today?
Is your heart and home “tight like unto a dish—like the Ark of Noah” so that when the storms of life come, the water doesn’t leak in and destroy your valuable vessel and virtuous crew? How do you make it tight? Through “commending yourself to Christ” and the sealing, protecting power of Prayer, of Scripture Reading (and Living) and listening to the Lord’s voice of wisdom, which is always louder than any wind or storm you face, if you will hear and hearken unto it.
There is always great opposition no matter your position on the Covenant Path. Jesus Christ is greater than all opposition!
If you are now buried beneath the waves of worry, sorrow, or even sin, keep sailing! Keep crying out to the Lord and following the Savior. And He will protect and direct you and bring you back on the top of the waters again.