“They stagger back and forth, and they stagger like a drunkard, and they are on the edge of their wits.” Psalm 107: 27. This story begins in verse 23. In verses 23 and 24 we find several holy men on a merchant ship selling their goods. We know you are having a good day because you are praising God.
But in verses 25 and 26 a sudden storm comes out of nowhere. And it’s big. The storm is so fierce that they fear for their lives.
In verse 27 we see these men thrown so violently that all they can do is hold on. There is nothing they can do to save themselves. They are at their “wit’s end”.
Like these sailors, sometimes in our Christian life everything goes well. We praise God for all the wonderful things he has done for us. Then, out of nowhere, the storms came. And they kept coming. The loads became so huge that there was no way out. It seemed like you couldn’t take it anymore. You found yourself yelling, “God, when is this going to end?” – You were at your wits end.
FIVE PHASES WHEN WE ARE IN THE “STORMS OF OUR LIFE”
1. The “end of wit” is a place that God sometimes initiates. Notice in verse 5 that God ordered the storm. No matter what storm it’s going through, God put it there. He knew what he was doing, he is never surprised. The good news is, before you had the problem, he had the solution.
He put you there for His purpose. (It’s about Him) (He’s our owner). “And we know that to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose, all things work together for good. (God says not to worry. If you love me, you will find peace in knowing that everything works out. just as I planned) “. Romans 8:28
He is trying to produce something in your heart, to bring you to complete faith and trust in Him. Or perhaps to strengthen you for a special ministry for which He has a purpose in your life. Sometimes we think that we are waiting for God to show us something, when in reality He is waiting for us to grow so that He will reveal it to us.
2. “Wits End” is a place where God tests us – He allows overwhelming circumstances to overtake us (a storm). It can be a lost job, illness, an eviction notice, marital problems, or addictions.
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.” Jeremiah 17: 7. He wants to lead us to the path of obedience, to trust him so that he can bless us. I believe that God is looking down on us, encouraging us, Brother Ray, you can do it. Trust me so I can bless you. Sometimes we are so close, but we don’t give up.
Sometimes we fail the test and He can go ahead and put us through it. But when we don’t, here comes another test right behind. Here comes a second wave in our storm. If we only trust him with the first test (wave), the second wave may not come.
3. “Wits end is a place where we sometimes fail the Lord – we fail God when we don’t trust Him. When we trust ourselves or others to solve our problems.” Thus says the Lord; Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and puts flesh on his arm, and whose heart turns away from the Lord “Jeremiah 17: 5.
The Israelites marveled at the desert for 40 years and never passed a test. And God had provided the solutions to all their problems. When they crossed the Red Sea they rejoiced and praised God, but panicked at the next trial when they encountered the bitter waters of Marah.
Israel received forty years of miraculous food – miraculous water – miraculous cloud during the day – miraculous fire at night – miraculous protection – miraculous clothes that were never worn. And yet they still doubted God. And all but two men died in that desert in utter disbelief. God wanted so badly to take them to Cannan, the land of milk and honey. But they never trusted God with their storms.
4. “Wits End” is a place where God takes care of us – We read in verses 28 and 29 that God took control and calmed the storm and brought them peace.
The sailors had to make two decisions before God took over. First they had to admit to themselves and to God that neither they nor anyone else could not help them. Second, they cried out to the Lord, turning only to him.
Sometimes God has to break us, make us trust Him, so He can fix us.
5. “Wits End” is a place where our trials become gifts. (after victory) – Sometimes His plan is not the one I would choose for myself. I wouldn’t choose to be broke and penniless, lose my family or be left homeless (digging trash cans), or be cold or hungry, or addicted to drugs or lonely, but I’ve been all of those things. I know the place called “end of the mill.”
I pray that I will never experience any of these storms again. But I wouldn’t accept anything for the gifts they brought me.
Thousands are beginning to bring others to Christ through “Bridge Ministries.” We have been given gifts through our trials. Everyone has had or will encounter a great tragedy in their life. As Christians, when we find victory over these trials through faith in God, they become gifts that can be used to comfort others and lead them to Christ.
“What a wonderful God we have: He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our difficulties and trials. And why does He do this? Others are troubled, they need our help. sympathy and encouragement, we can convey to them this same help and comfort that God has given us “- 2 Corinthians 1: 3,4.
