living loved

The Material Wanderer

Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up the tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away. – Psalm 107: 23-27

Oh, boy. No one really likes to talk about our materialistic and superficial desires to want more, have more, be more. And how easy it is to live in this particular wandering in our westernized, modernized culture and deem it “normal”.

Merchants during this biblical time were extremely wealthy and the result of that is many of these merchants (God fearing by the way – people who recognized Abba) became greedy and dishonest. Although they saw the good works of the Lord and his wonderful deeds just like verse 24 references, their need for material wealth and growth surpassed their desire to want God, His words, and His truth. They became focused on what they had, their desires, and what they could do on their own rather than God’s unending faithfulness and supply. They forgot from Whom all things flow. And again, like the other wanderers, they were left dissatisfied and wanting. 

This particular wanderer, puts their trust in the things they have rather than God’s supply. How many of us do the same thing? We focus on our “safe” homes, our “reliable” vehicles, our “growing” pensions, retirements, or bank accounts and fail to trust God’s plan in giving, sharing, and trusting? Or we may even save, save, save in preparation for our future and miss the moments right in front of us to save the ones set before us. And just like the wanderer in this psalm, what happens when all of our safety measures and reliability fail us? When we fail ourselves? In verse 26, in the merchants’ peril, their courage melts away.

Weary traveler, does your courage melt away with the changing tides or do you still remain faithful? Do you trust God the same with or without the wealth and good fortune or does your self-made courage melt away?  When the storms rise like in verses 27 and 28, do you trust Him to calm the storm, the sea, the waves, or do you still rely on what you have and your ability to self-preserve? Do you rely on the church building or the actual bride? Because the only thing, the only One who ever remains the same is HIM! Only Him. 

Just like all of our other travelers, these verses end the same. When they cried out (true repentance), recognized their need for the Father and that only He could truly satisfy and sustain, He stilled their storms to a whisper and the waves of the sea were hushed (verse 29).

Weary traveler, He is waiting to be your satisfaction. He is waiting to take your hunger and thirst. Won’t you lay down the backpack, take off your shoes, and stay awhile? I promise, your peace is waiting.

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord. – Psalm 107: 43

XOXO, Loni