Job 34:29

The calm sea says more to the thoughtful soul than the same sea in a storm and tumult. But we need the understanding of eternal things, and the sentiment of the Infinite to be able to feel this.

Napoleon, with his arms crossed over his breast, is more expressive than the furious Hercules beating the air with his athletic fists.

Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil! And God granted him that which he requested.

The blessing of the Lord , it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.—When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?

He gives quietness in the midst of the raging storm. As we sail the lake with Him, reaching deep water and far from land, suddenly , under the midnight sky, a mighty storm sweeps down. Earth and hell seem mobilized against us, and each wave threatens to overwhelm our boat. Then He rises from His sleep and rebukes the wind and the waves. He wave s His hand, signaling the end of the raging tempest and the beginning of the restful calm. His voice is heard above the screaming of the wind through the ropes and rigging, and over the thrashing of the waves.

“Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39). Can you not hear it? And instan tly there is a great calm. “He giveth quietness”— quietness even in the midst of losing our inner strength and comforts . Sometimes He removes these because we make too much of them. We are tempted to look at our joys, pleasures, passions, or our dreams, with too much self-satisfaction. Then through His gracious love He withdraws them, leading us to distinguish between them and Himself. He draws near and whispers the assurance of His presence, bringing an infinite calm to keep our hearts and minds. “He giveth quietness.”

There are depths in the ocean, I am told, which no tempest ever stirs—beyond the reach of all storms that sweep and agitate the surface of the sea.

And there are heights in the blue sky above, to which no cloud ever ascends, where no tempest ever rages, where all is perpetual sunshine, where naught exists to disturb the deep serenity. Even at the center of the cyclone there is rest.