Why do we find more beauty in the ocean than in a puddle? Because it is more capable of being troubled. Why do we find more beauty in a strong mind than in a weak? Because it is more capable of being troubled. The beauty of a troubled ocean and a great intellect are both found in their capacity for unrest.
But the troubled heart is not beautiful. The troubled heart is un-beautiful.
While the ocean shows its power in a storm,
and the intellect shows its power in problems,
the heart only shows its power in peace.
The glory of a ship is in its sail.
The glory of a heart is in its anchor.
My heart has no strength when sailing in search of a harbor. My heart's peace has no other moorings than Christ. It’s only strong when anchored to the shore. We read that an angel came down to trouble the pool of Siloam. But we never read that an angel came down to trouble a heart. In fact, in the Bible, when the Lord troubled a soul, it was a foreboding sign.
If He didn't have a place for my heart to rest, He would never have said, "Let not your heart be troubled." How could my heart be at peace if His love were transient? Saying, "Let not your heart be troubled," would be absurd if He had no place for my love. My heart won't be content until then.
We need to not only love Christ, but know that He loves us. Doubt of love is the heart's paralysis; despair of love is the heart's death. The Lord says, “Whatever else is tossed upon life's ocean, let not your heart be tossed.”
Christ alone is the anchor for the peace of your heart. He would never have said, "Let not your heart be troubled" if He had no harbor for you. How could your heart ever be calm? It would be a mockery to hear, "Let not your heart be troubled!" and not provide a haven. A thirst for knowledge may stir your heart, but it’s awakened by resting in Christ. Ironically, it cannot even begin work until it rests. Our heart must be satisfied early, before the day begins. I do not want to rise in the morning to find rest. I want to awaken with it. Is this a morning promise for you, “Let not your heart be troubled”?
Is He your respite in the toil of mid-day?
Is He your solace as you take your evening rest?
Dear one, only the untroubled heart can walk upon a troubled sea.
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