From 1967 to 1970, we lived in Vienna, Austria, and we had a minister friend who travelled to many countries in Europe to bring the gospel to different people, mostly behind the then Iron Curtain.

On one such trip, on his way home, waiting in an airport lounge, he saw the pilot and the crew heading to the plane that he was going to travel on. He noticed that the captain was Herb, a neighbour who lived in the same apartment building, so he called out to him. Herb asked him to come to the cockpit once they were airborne, and he would show him what was happening in the front of the airplane.

When he got there, Herb asked him to sit down, and they talked for a while, flying along peacefully. However, in the distance, there were some dark clouds, and the plane was heading straight for them. Suddenly, they were in them, and it became dark. Rain hit the airplane, and there was a lot of turbulence. The plane was tossed around, and they could not see where they were going. My friend was worried, but Herb and his co-pilot just sat there, apparently without a worry in the world.

My friend asked him if there was not something he should be doing. "No," he said. "Just keep your eyes on the instruments."

When we are caught up in one of the storms of life, when the winds of disaster blow, when things appear so dark that we think we are going to perish, then we should keep our eyes on God's guiding instrument: His Word. The Bible is the instrument which can keep us going in the right direction every day.

Romans 10:11,13 – For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (NKJV)

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (NKJV)

These are just a couple of quotations from Scripture, verses which sum up the truths of faith in Christ. When we read the Bible, we will find words like these on many occasions, words which guide us in our journey of life, passages which are the instruments which guide us in our lives every day. And then, even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil. Yes indeed, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray that You would be with us in times of trouble. We ask that You would give us comfort from Your Word. We know that Your Word is the instrument which is designed to guide us through our lives, every day. We thank You, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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About the author:

Joel Jongkind <austria67@bmts.com>
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
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