In The Hollow Of His Hand

“Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.” Psalm 16:1 (NIV)

             The words of a song, “Hold me fast, let me stand, In the hollow of thy hand. Keep me safe, ‘Til the storm passes by,” took on a deeper meaning as I remembered a sailing adventure.

            Our family was sailing from Cleveland to Port Huron, Michigan. As we started across Lake St. Clair, the skies were cloudy. An hour later, they were ominous, threatening a storm. There was no where to run for shelter. A sailboat does not get anywhere in a hurry and, in the shallow waters of St. Clair, we could not risk straying from the shipping channel.

            “If worse comes to worse,” said Bob, “we’ll anchor and ride it out.” We donned rain gear. Neither of us mentioned our greatest fear, the 45 foot “lightning rod” holding up the sail.

            Skies darkened. Thunder surrounded us. Suddenly the wind died. We lowered the sails as rain began to pour straight down. We motored, expecting the wind and waves to get stronger. Visibility was cut down to a mile and we had difficulty seeing the next channel marker. Silently, we prayed.

            The wind never grew stronger. The seas remained tranquil. In the midst of the storm, we continued to move on, in a peace and calm that only God could have provided. We were truly in the hollow of His hand.

            In all the storms of life, take refuge in Him and he will bring peace.