Comfort in the Storm

Aim: To persevere through trial—trusting in Christ.

Doctrine: God spares His true church through the deluge that sweeps others away. We see this in the ark of Noah's time, and in the cross of Christ.

Exegesis: The stages of God's deliverance: we sink—even while serving the Lord (vv. 1-3); we fear—that we will be included in the destruction (v. 4); we marvel—that God singles us out, for salvation (v. 5).

Further application: How to think about the Christian life: trouble is inevitable, but it gets redeemed, in Christ's victory in us.

Key verse: v. 5 '''And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,' says the LORD. 'But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.'''