I know that I have asked this question before in some blog posts, and I think that it is a question that can be asked often and is a question that can have different answers at different times in our lives. The question is, “from what perspective do you read the Bible?” Now, as you contemplate answering or maybe you are contemplating your answer, do not feel uncomfortable if the question presents you with a challenge or an answer that is different from how you have previously answered the question.
I found this perspective question in my purview tonight as I studied Psalm 107. Three verses that the psalmist penned, struck me as worth considering anew. “Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; they have seen the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep, for He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea” (Psalm 107:23-25). This Psalm is written as a reminder of all that God has done for the nation of Israel in their journey to the promised land. As we know they encountered trouble on the way, although at times that trouble was brought on by their own actions, and at times as trouble came upon them it was as they moved in the promises of God, and the trouble came upon them, yet God guided them easily through it. What is our perspective in looking at the three verses I mentioned?
It is easy to avoid any kind of trouble in our life. All we need to do is be nominal in our faith, occasionally step into the will to which God calls us, and avoid what God wants, while in the process allowing the world to rub off on us. James spoke to that very issue a couple of times in his letter as he addressed that in 1:27 when he writes, “keep oneself unstained by the world,” and in 2:26 when he writes, “faith without works is dead.” So, what I am saying is that the perspective I am taking in reading Psalm 107:23-25 is that when doing the business of the Lord we will clearly see His great works, and that we should in seeing those great works, expect some great waves to come along. God will glorify Himself and use us as He sees fit, if we choose to follow His plan. In the storms that come along as we do God’s business, we can do so with the confidence that He will cause “the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed” (Psalm 107:29).
In writing my perspective I see God challenging me, and I hope you, to take the next step to which He is calling you. What is the next ministry opportunity? Who is the person that you are called to love? Maybe even, where is the place He wants to send you to serve Him and bring Him glory? Oh now, I know all the struggles and challenges just welled up in front of you, they always will, but God will always rise above those storms, above the waves of the sea around you, and the storm of doubt will be hushed. I encourage you to read these verses in Psalm 107 in a new way, if just maybe you have never taken on the challenge that God placed in front of you, and have been simply walking the life of being that nominal Christian.