SECURE WHATEVER ILL BE TIED!

It replays itself over and over in my mind this morning. It is a bit of verse from an old hymn called “A Shelter in the time of storm.” Ira Sankey’s old hymn demands attention but especially this one portion: “secure whatever ill be tied.” It almost doesn’t belong in a hymn that praises the security found in Jesus. It speaks of human effort; of doing what you can under the circumstances.

Jesus may allow us to work hard – then relieve us!

Mark 6:45-50 KJV

45 And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

47 And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.

48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

50 For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Ø     Jesus “constrained” [made it necessary, commanded] them to get into the ship.

Ø     He obviously knew there would be difficulty in rowing against the wind and did not think this to be something to be avoided.

Ø     The fourth watch of the night is reckoned to be about 3:00 o’clock in the morning! This is the time that the human body is at it’s lowest in strength. Most people would be asleep not working hard.

Ø     Jesus decided to walk – “and would have passed them by!” This truth has always intrigued me! Why would Jesus heartlessly stroll on by and leave His disciples working hard? Why didn’t He do something?

Ø     Jesus kept on walking – and they SAW Him but thought him to be a ghost.

Ø     THEY CRIED OUT! They cried out because they saw him and were “troubled!”

Ø     Jesus did not stop because of their difficulty – but because they cried out!

So the words of Ira Sankey keep replaying in my head. Oh, yes, the Lord’s our Rock in Him we hide. Jesus is a shelter in the time of storm. Nevertheless we need to secure whatever is not properly tied down! I think this speaks to our human leadership and the administration of our business. Have we been lax and lazy in doing what needs to be done? Is there anything flapping about in the wind? Tie it down! Jesus will solve the problems we can’t but He expects us to do what we can – even if it means working hard.

Dear Lord, thank you for being near in the storms of life. Help me to do what I can do and then trust you to do the rest. AMEN