"The Great Helmsman Guides the Ship" By Brother\ Makram Shawky

On one sea voyage, a large ship was sailing from Liverpool to New York. During that journey, the captain took his family with him.

On a quiet night, while everyone was asleep, a violent storm suddenly arose and struck the ship, nearly causing it to overturn. The cries of the frightened passengers were heard, and the captain’s little daughter, who was no more than eight years old, woke up and asked:
"What happened?"

They answered her:"We are in great danger; a violent storm is threatening the ship."

She asked calmly:"Is my father on deck?"

They said:"Yes."

So she laid her head on her pillow again, and within a few moments, she returned to a deep sleep!

What simple and profound faith… complete trust because her father was the one leading the ship.

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When I remembered this story, I wrote to encourage myself:

He holds the helm in His hand,
He never tires nor rests,
He will bring our ship to the harbor,
No matter how windy it may be.

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The Great Captain, unseen, is the One who holds the helm of our lives. No matter how severe the storms may be, He is the loving God who cares for each one of His children and does not forget any of them.

The Apostle Paul experienced this himself when the Lord said to him in the midst of the storm:
"Do not be afraid, Paul" (Acts 27:24).

So he held on to the promise and continued his journey, filled with wonderful peace in the midst of the waves, confident that Jesus Christ was leading the ship until it reached the harbor of safety.

But the same apostle said:"I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling."

This is not the fear of disturbance, but the holy fear—the fear that anything might appear other than Christ, and the trembling that the service might not be for the glory of Jesus alone.

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In these days, where fears and increase, we have great comfort:

That the God who allowed the storms is the same One who leads us through them,
And that He has a greater purpose than every pain we go through.

And the message of heaven to us today is:
"Do not be afraid… I am alive."

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Let us always look to Him, so that we do not grow weak or lose hope, and do not cry out in weakness:
"Do You not care that we are perishing?!"

But rather trust that His hand is still on the helm.

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O Lord, move our hearts to serve You in this weary world,
And to be a voice of comfort to every fearful soul.

Be assured, for I am with you,
And I am your God, and your help is in Me,
And I will strengthen you that I may lift you up,
And I will have compassion on your weakness like a father.
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