2 Corinthians 7:2-16
Surviving the Storm
In the North African desert in 1942, the
British had lost the first battle of Tobruk. Axis armies intended to seal off
shipping from Egypt. The British needed to defend the Suez Canal, but they were
short of armor. They needed tanks, and at first, the U.S. considered sending
General Patton and his 2nd Armored Division to Egypt. Time was critical, however,
so the U.S. decided to send more than 300 M4 Sherman tanks across the Atlantic
to bolster Egypt’s defense. Speed was essential, and merchant ships convoyed
across the ocean carrying the critical supplies.
David Milton was an 18-year-old
merchant seaman aboard one of the transports. He described a desperate moment
during a vicious storm, when several Sherman tanks, weighing 20 to 25 tons
each, broke loose and began sliding back and forth in the ship’s hold. Few
things are more terrifying than the proverbial “loose cannon” smashing
unrestrained around a ship’s deck. The tanks slid to one side, then careened
across the deck and crashed into the bulkhead, threatening to burst through the
hull and let in the sea. Milton described crew members riding the tanks like
cowboys, threading steel cables to secure the monsters. The danger of the storm
outside was nothing compared to the turmoil battering the ship from within. Yet
once the tanks were secured again, the ship rejoined the convoy and cleared the
storm safely.
“For when we came into Macedonia, this body of
ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside,
fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of
Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He
told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for
me, so that my joy was greater than ever.” 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 NIV.
It seemed that everywhere Paul went, his
proclamation of the gospel brought great joy to some and great rage to others. When
he wrote his second inspired letter to the church at Corinth, he was stressed
from every side. He had left Ephesus while the city was still in turmoil from a
riot stirred up against the gospel. He was traveling through hostile territory
on his way to a troubled church. Yet he could face everything with joy because
he was faithful to Jesus Christ.
We are living in troubled times—just as people always have.
There are pressures from the outside and anxieties from within as we try to
live good, holy, and righteous lives in a complex world. If we have calm
security in our faithfulness to Jesus Christ, we will be equipped to face the
raging storms of life. Only secure trust in God and His faithful promises will
hold us firm and allow us to pass through the storm safely. Storms will come,
and they will break fearfully upon us in dark nights and frantic days. But we
can always find peace within if we commit our lives to our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ and remain in the company of His people.
Other Resources:
Defilement of the Flesh and Spirit 2 Corinthians 7
