The Haven

DEVOTION

GENESIS

THE HAVEN

Gen 49:13

13 "Zebulun will live by the seashore and become a haven for ships; his border will extend toward Sidon.

NIV

Not much was said by Jacob regarding this son, Zebulun. He will be a haven for ships. Looking ahead that was the portion of land his descendants were allotted. It was on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Zebulun and his descendants are referred to throughout the scriptures, in fact, Jesus traveled to the region of Zebulun. But other than the use of his name in the numbering of the people and such we know very little about him. What can we learn here? Is this one of those places we simply read and move on, making note his land was by the sea? But alas, there is something here. It might be a stretch but still it bears some thought. When we think about a haven for ships, it brings to mind the lives of people adrift in the sea of life, having no port of call. When people do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are indeed adrift. They might think they live with a purpose, a plan for their lives. They pursue after the things of this world, self-serving as it is. However they have no haven, no place of rest. When the storm of life blows against them, they have no place to put in. They are tossed to and fro by the waves and the wind, sometimes crashing against the rocks. But there is a haven. There are so many references to God being our haven, our fortress.

Ps 31:1-5

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2 Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3 Since you are my rock and my fortress , for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4 Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

NIV

In the times of distress, when the storms of life assault, he is our haven. We have found safety in our Lord. We have no need to drift aimlessly through the sea of life, with no port of call. We have put in and have a place of rest, a place of peace.

John 14:26-27

 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

NIV

Yet there are still many who are a drift in the sea of life and need to know there is a haven, a place of rest, a place of peace. They do not need to be tossed to and fro, they can find this haven. How will they find it? They can see the lighthouse marking the entrance to the haven of rest. Yes, Jesus is the light of the world.

John 8:12

 "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

NIV

But he also said we are the light of the world.

Matt 5:14-16

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

NIV

We need to be that lighthouse showing the way to the haven of God, the place of rest from the storms of life. There is no reason people have to be tossed about, they can find that rest in Jesus. The sea of life can be treacherous in the darkness, but the light shines brightly to show the way into the haven. Let our light shine, so they may find the haven.