Stories of Deliverance

23 Some went down to the sea in ships,
    doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the Lord,
    his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
    which lifted up the waves of the sea.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;
    their courage melted away in their evil plight;
27 they reeled and staggered like drunken men
    and were at their wits' end.[b]
28 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
29 He made the storm be still,
    and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad that the waters[c] were quiet,
    and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
    for his wondrous works to the children of man!
32 Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,    and praise him in the assembly of the elders.
(Psalm 107:23-32)
Timing...  When was this Psalm written?  During the Old Testament.  We know that by the time of Jesus fishing was the lifework of many around the Sea of Galilee, as it had been for generations.  But these words were written long before.  One Old Testament account that does come to mind was Jonah, who had such an experience, along with the crew who thought all was lost. They cried out and the sea was calmed. But this passage also previews those in the New Testament: Jesus' disciples had more than one voyage that fit this description, as did the Apostle Paul.  It's a picture many a hymnwriter has been drawn to as well.  The storms of life seem to pull and push us under, but we can call out to the Lord yet today. There are stories of deliverance to be told and heard.  Let us give thanks to the Lord, and don't forget to tell your elders and your pastors as well.  They could stand to hear some stories of deliverance.