Christianity Oasis Forum

[cimi]

MONDAY NOVEMBER 9


CHARITY ISLAND

READ:
Nahum 1:7
_______________________________________________________________________________
The LORD is good,
a refuge in times
of trouble. He cares
for those who
trust in him.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Charity island is the largest island in Saginaw Bay in the Michigan waters of Lake Huron. For many years the island has provided a lighthouse for navigational aid and a safe harbor for those sailing these waters. The island received its name because sailors believed it was there "through the charity of God."

Sometimes in life we have to navigate through seas of troubling circumstances. Like those sailors we need guidance and a place of safety; we might wish for our own Charity island The psalmist understood that God is the one who can bring tranquility to troubled waters and guide us to safe harbors. He wrote, "He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven" (PS. 107:29-30).

While no one asks for the storms of life, they can multiply our appreciation for the guidance and refuge God provides. He offers the light of His Spirit and His Word to guide us. It is the safe harbor of His love that we long for. He alone can be our ultimate "Charity Island." ____Dennis Fisher

**Father, help me to seek Your light to guide me
through the storms of life.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
The living God will always be our shelter.

*******************************Today's Bible Reading __ Psalm 107:23-32******************************
23 Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants
on the mighty waters. 24 They saw the works
of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep. 25 For
he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the
waves. 26 They mounted up to the heavens and went down to
the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. 27 They
reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits'
end. 28 Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and
he brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm
to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. 30 They were
glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired
haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing
love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. 32 Let them exalt
him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the
council of the elders.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Today's psalm reminds us that God can indeed
guide us to safe havens in the midst of life's storms and trials.
However, this psalm also reminds us that the same God who calms
the storm and points the way to our "desired haven" (v.30) is the
God who sometimes stirs up the oceans in our lives. It is God who
"stirred up a tempest" (v.25) that caused the sailors to melt with
fear and reel and stagger (vv. 26,27). Then "they cried out to the LORD
...and he brought them out of their distress" (v.28). The God who
stirs the seas wants us to turn to Him for help. ________________________ J.R. Hudberg