Morning Devotional

September 6, 2003

"The Cushion"  

by Don Emmitte

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When Moses had finished saying these things to all the people of Israel, he said, "I am now 120 years old and am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has told me that I will not cross the Jordan River. But the LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua is your new leader, and he will go with you, just as the LORD promised. The LORD will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites. The LORD will hand over to you the people who live there, and you will deal with them as I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid of them! The LORD your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you." Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched he said to him, "Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the LORD swore to give their ancestors. You are the one who will deliver it to them as their inheritance. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:1-8 NLT). 

Someone once observed that "as the sea is subject to storms and tempests, so is every man in the world." His point: storms enter everyone's life. But how do we handle the storms? I read a story about a new submarine that was being tested. As part of its test, the submarine had to remain submerged beneath the ocean's surface for a long time. While the submarine was submerged for its test, a powerful storm passed through the area, causing a great deal of damage. When the submarine returned to the harbor, the head of the team that was evaluating the submarine asked the captain, "How did that terrible storm affect you?" The captain looked at the man in surprise and exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!" 

The reason for the captain's surprise was that his submarine had been so far beneath the ocean's surface that it reached the area known to sailors as "the cushion of the sea." Although a storm's high winds may whip the surface into huge waves, the waters in the "cushion" are not even stirred. So while vessels up above were being subjected to turmoil and damage, the submarine down below was not affected. It remained safely in the "cushion."  

Our reading this morning reminds us that "...God will never leave or forsake His people." So even during difficult times, God is there to provide us with peace and safety. But like the submarine, we must take certain actions if we are to receive the benefits that are available. We must learn to focus our lives. A life focused on yourself and your problems puts circumstances between you and God. However, a life focused on God puts Him between you and your circumstances. The right focus makes all the difference in the world. Protect your mind from damaging waves of frustration, worry and despair. Focus your life on God, and place your trust in Him. If you do, storms of various types will still come and go. But as you are cushioned by God's grace, you will gain the tranquillity that only He can provide.