Bible Study Verse
Psalm 107:23-25; 28-30
Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea.
Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still. Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to their desired haven. (NKJV)
Thoughts
Most avid fishermen, like myself, have experienced rough weather while out fishing in a small boat. When that has happened to me, I have usually been prepared and able to reach safety before things got too rough. However, one time was a little different.
We had taken our nineteen-foot, open-bow runabout into the Gulf of California. This was a new experience for me, even though I had spent four years in the Navy. Those years, however, were aboard the battleship, New Jersey, not in a small craft.
The weather was calm when we started out and the fishing good--we were filling the ice chests with trigger fish. We decided to change position and go for some rock bass; so we made our way up shore about two miles to a rocky ledge. The fishing was good there too, and I forgot to pay attention to the weather or the position of the boat.
Suddenly, water began to break over our bow. The wind had come up and we were dangerously close to the rocks. I began to crank the motor, but it would not start. The closer we got to the rocks, the higher my heart was in my throat. Finally, the motor started and we moved away from the rocks. The trip back to the dock was long due to the wind and waves; but we finally made it to safety.
(Byron S)
Action Point
As I reread these verses this morning, I noted that I had underlined them some time ago. Always keep in mind that God is sovereign. Learn to lean on Him and trust Him; not only in the bad times, during stormy weather, but also in the good, fair-weather times. Bring all things to Him in prayer, ask for His wise counsel; and He will truly guide your way.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
Always check the weather before you venture out on the water, especially if you are in an unfamiliar area. Make sure all safety equipment is on board, in good working order, and your motor is in top-running shape. While you are out, pay attention to changes in the weather that might not have been forecast.
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