Great waters of affliction.
The troubles that are to overtake Tyro in the Chaldean invasion are compared by the prophet to a sea of great waters into which the rowers have brought the ship—an image that would come home to a maritime people.
I. SOULS MAY HAVE TO ENCOUNTER GREAT WATERS OF AFFLICTION.
1. Their troubles are multitudinous. People talk of "a sea of troubles," referring to the number of distresses that they have met with.
2. Their troubles are restless. They come with changes, and they make disturbance like the ceaseless tossing and moaning of the sea.
3. Their troubles are aggressive. The great waters roll in waves, beat against the ship, sweep her deck, and threaten to dash her to pieces. Troubles are not merely negative evils like cold and darkness; they are positive in their activity, and they threaten to dash the soul to destruction.
4. Their troubles are overwhelming. The waves pour over the ship, the great waters threaten to drown the sailor.
5. Their troubles are deep. Fathoms deep the sinking ship goes down in the black, engulfing waters. So souls sink in sorrow and despair.
II. THESE GREAT WATERS OF AFFLICTION MAY BE FOUND WHERE ONLY PROSPERITY IS EXPECTED. The Phoenicians were not helpless landsmen. Familiar with the sea from their childhood, they regarded it as the highway of their commerce. Their wealth was got by trading over its waters. Yet the treacherous sea can turn against. its most trusting children. None dread it so much as sailors who have learnt its power and their own helplessness when it rises in its fury. It often happens that calamity meets a man in his most familiar haunts. Where he looks for a blessing he meets with a curse. This is possible with all earthly things. Therefore the most confident is not secure against trouble.
III. TOO OFTEN MEN BRING THEMSELVES INTO THEIR GREATEST TROUBLES. "Thy rowers have Brought thee into great waters." Instead of keeping to the sheltered. course in the lea of the cliffs, the heedless rowers have pulled out into a reach of water where the sea is running high. It is no fault of the waters that the ship is thus thrust into danger. Men rush headlong into trouble by folly and sin. They have no right to set down the consequences to the inscrutable mystery of Providence.
IV. GOD IS THE ONE REFUGE FROM THE GREAT WATERS OF AFFLICTION.
1. He may still the waters. As Christ quieted the storm on Gennesaret, so will he still tumults of trouble. Our course is to pray for help, and trust him where we can do nothing for ourselves.
2. He may draw us out of the waters. Thus David says, "He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters" (Psalms 18:16). Christ put forth his hand and saved Peter from perishing (Matthew 14:31). When circumstances cannot be altered, we may be uplifted and saved from sinking in them.
3. He may be with us on the waters. It may not be possible to alter circumstances nor to remove us from them. Then we may be strengthened to withstand them, as St. Paul's ship was strengthened when the sailors undergirded it.
"With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm."