Jeremiah 49:23 Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted… That which was true of the cities spoken of in our text, is also true, though in a different sense, of every voyager on the sea of life. "There is sorrow (as) on the sea." I. SORROW AS ON THE SEA IS DIVINELY PREDICTED. Voyagers you all must be. Out on that wide mysterious ocean which is swept by storms untold, and which teems with dangers innumerable, you must sail. Many of you axe as yet but as landsmen lying in the docks. You are admiring your vessel, and putting on nautical airs, and wondering when you will be freed from the trammels of the shore. Some of you are just dropping down the stream, your breasts big with hope, and your imagination painting glowing pictures of the ocean life beyond. 'Mid the songs of the sailors, and the music of the passengers, bright visions are rising of sunny seas and blue skies, of mirth and boundless happiness. With all my heart I wish you God-speed. I would not unnecessarily becloud that fair prospect. May the sunbeams which begild the waves around you follow you abundantly. And yet, though at the risk of being charged with unkindness, I must warn you that "there is sorrow on the sea." I would not, I could not, prevent your sailing; but I must remind you of that which should not be always forgotten, that in life's voyage troubles will come. II. SORROW AS ON THE SEA IS UNIVERSALLY EXPERIENCED. 1. From the mutability of life. I have no wish to play the misanthrope, to paint you a leaden landscape under a lowering sky, where no break of sunshine ever comes to chase the shadows from an ebon sea. There is sunshine! Though all life has its clouds, life is not all sorrow. But while life's joys may be many and real, it will have its sorrows by reason of its changes. To-day the sea may he calm, and the sky may be without a cloud, but even while we speak the glass is falling, and the calm sea will soon be lashed into foaming fury, and the cloudless sky will soon be overcast with messengers of coming woe. 2. From the uncertainties of life. Which way to steer — what to do — whether to enter into this speculation or to avoid that transaction — how to meet this engagement, or how to be relieved of that responsibility — often drives men to their wits' end. Business goes wrong, markets are unsteady, panics are abroad, and fogs and thick darkness so enshroud the mercantile world, that with dangers and uncertainty everywhere around, the perplexed tradesmen often just throws up the helm in despair, and allows the vessel to drift whithersoever the current will take her. And in his spiritual voyage the Christian is not always free from similar sorrow. With the Psalmist, we have sometimes to lament that "we see not our signs." 3. The disappointments of life. (1) Think of life's friendships! Where we anticipated most consolation, there, in the day of our need, we were most bitterly deceived. (2) Look at life's prospects! You remember how hard you toiled to secure that position which you thought would consummate your joys, and be the very climax of your every earthly ambition. You remember how bright your prospects seemed to be. You know that towards the end everything was so apparently propitious that you never for a moment entertained a doubt of success. But you were disappointed l III. SORROW AS ON THE SEA MAY BE GREATLY MITIGATED. 1. A good ship. Let a sailor be persuaded of the soundness of the ship in which he sails, and "it may blow big guns" — he is comparatively at ease. We want similar faith in the grand old Gospel ship. We want the unswerving confidence which will inspire us ever to say, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation." Classed A1 for ever in the heavenly register, this "everlasting Gospel" can never fail. In this good ship millions have reached the "desired haven" in peace; on her deck millions are sailing thither now; and there is room for millions yet unborn. 2. A reliable chart. Without this a man may well be anxious. By what chart are you steering? Is it the Bible, or is it the "Age of Reason"? Blessed be God, we know whom and we know what we believe. 3. Sufficient provision. Lacking provision, what can the sailor do? There is often such "sorrow on the sea." Want often stares men in the face when they are far from port, and when they can by no possible means obtain supplies. This can never happen on board the ship of the Gospel. This vessel is stored abundantly with the choicest provisions of free eternal grace. (W. H. Burton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Concerning Damascus. Hamath is confounded, and Arpad: for they have heard evil tidings: they are fainthearted; there is sorrow on the sea; it cannot be quiet. |
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