20/10/2023
CHRIST IN THE VESSEL, WE CAN SMILE AT THE STORM
I was taught this Sunday school’s song, “With Christ in the vessel, we can smile at the storm” when as a child. I would remember and swear that there was no relevance to its true meaning then. But now being an adult, after weathering numerous “storms” & crisis in life, this song became the anchor in the deep blue tumultuous sea of trials. Every challenge that confronted me, every crisis that overwhelmed me, I am certain now that in all of my trial, each and every encounter were met with the presence of Christ. Do not get me wrong. I am not a charlatan, nor a heretic to make that statement. Often, I would doubt the supposedly “man of God” in social media platform professing their personal encounters with Jesus, or with other patriarchs in the bible. They would impress their audiences that their prophecies of current or future events and matters are from God. Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing; we were forewarned by Apostle Paul in his epistles.
Sometimes, the presence of Christ in our crisis does not necessarily means a physical bodily encounter of Christ with us. The help we receive in our dire needs may come in various shapes and forms that we can interact with. Although, some fortunate ones do have a personal encounter with Jesus in their hour of needs. But the point here is that whatever we are going through, we are assured that it is with the knowledge of our heavenly Father. We are not alone because Jesus promised He will be with us always.
In Isaiah 43:2, God said, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” These verses implied the personal involvement of our God in our dire straits’ situation, no elements of destruction shall befall us. Our God had given to us such blessed assurance and promises that guaranteed His involvements each and every times. In another verse in WITH Deuteronomy 31:8, He is the Lord who goes before us. He will be with us; He will not leave us or forsake us. Therefore, we are reminded not to fear or dismay. So, in another words, Jesus went ahead of us of our problem before we even come to it. He knew all our needs and struggles before the needs and struggles of life and death materialized. Indeed, what a friend we have in Jesus!
I would like to share this Sunday’s school song with you all. You can always smile at the storms of life and struggles as our Immanuel; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ accompany us through it. In Psalm 23: 4, even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will not fear as He is with us. In the vessel that sails the sea of life’s trials and difficulties, Christ and us, we will be sailing home safely.
With Christ in the Vessel
With Christ in the vessel,
We can smile at the storm;
Smile at the storm,
Smile at the storm.
With Christ in the vessel
We can smile at the storm
As we go sailing home
Sailing, sailing home,
Sailing, sailing home.
With Christ in the vessel,
We can smile at the storm;
As we go sailing home.
