Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-10-22
THE TROUBLED WATERS.
They overtake Every Christian, But
with Jesus in the Boat
All Is Well.

The disciples tempest tossed on the
sea of Galilee, with Jesus asleep in the
hinder part of the boat, is perfect pic
ture Of the devout saint oppressed by the
world, the flesh and the devil. Another
scene, a little later, graphically illus
trates the same condition: Jesus is on
the mountainside in prayer and His be-
loved followers are ''toiling in rowing"
literally distressed or tormented. The
same word is used by the centurion who
said that his servant was sick of the
palsy, grievously tormented, and by the
demons who asked of Jesus: Art Thou
come TO torment us before the time ?"
This Is a good word TO express the sore
trials of many OF the saints to-day. They
are "toiling" or distressed or tormented
by the stress Of circumstances, PERSONAL
ly or In the home or in business or in
their spiritual relations.
But what a comfort that "the Master
OF ocean and earth and skies" is with
us! with Christ in the vessel we
laugh at the storm" He is never asleep
in His glorified state, nor so occupied
with His high priestly function that He
falls 10 notice the distressed and tor
mented of His Heavenly people down
hore in the hostile and foreign element
OF earth. Thank God, He is always near
at hand, ready and glad to be called to
our relief. He is ours ''to command"
In the Fourth Watch, when our case
seems hopeless, in the darkest hour He
comes walking upon the water to our
relief, saying; 1T is l. be not afraid !"
Then our belief is rebuked. our hearts
subside and we repose restfully in the
arms Of infinite and omnipotent love.
Weeping may endure for a night, but
Joy cometh in the morning."
Oh, soul, heartbroken by sorrow, over
come by temptation, crushed by ad-
versity, wondering how long you can
hold out in the present distress, asking
what the end shall be, prophesying fail
ure, thinking yourself forsaken of God,
look up and be of Good cheer. Thy God
lives Thy Saviour will never leave thee
or forsahe thee. The furnace will not
be heated too hot for thee. Listen to the
great Rehner:
when through the fiery trials thy path
way shall lie
My grace a. lSuhicient shall be thy supply
The flames cannot hurt thee l only design
Thy cOoss TO consume and thy gold to re-
fine"
Let us cultivate the habit of trusting
God when ne seems to be far away,
urges Rev. w. J. Mosier. in Christian
Work When the healing is delayed
when the money does not come. when
the position is not found. when the
persecution is not abated when the loved
one Is not saved or reclaimed. let us
reckon on Him Who calls things that are
not as though they were and Who rails
eth the dead and quickeneth whom He
Will and ere long He will rebuke the
winds and the waves of temptation and
trial, and there will be q great calm. and
ere long He will appear on the troubled
water and finally We shall reach the land
whittier we are going, and for which our
eager, weary souls were longing. An
ever present Christ with every believer
is an assured fact. The apprehension of
the fact means patience in trial, Joy in
tribulation, thanksgiving in everything
and rejoicing evermore.