God’s Wonderful Works

On this day in 1851, Herman Melville published Moby Dick, a novel that has stood the test of time. In one recent survey, it was voted the sixth most influential novel ever written.

This novel focuses on a ship captain, Ahab, and his efforts to seek revenge against a whale that once tore off his leg at the knee. He drove the ship and its men to kill the whale, but, in the end, the whale destroyed the ship and everyone aboard except the narrator, Ishmael.

Melville’s colorful story was inspired by his own experiences at sea. He used whaling as a metaphor to share insights about life. He recognized that many people were obsessed, just like Ahab: “What trances of torments does that man endure who is consumed with one unachieved revengeful desire.” To him, the ocean symbolized the difficulties of life itself, and sharks symbolized “your foes.”

The Bible, too, speaks about the sea, the great leviathan, and its countless creatures. For the Christian, all of these things point back to God. We do not need to worry about sharks around us in the world or become obsessed with vengeance or personal vendettas.

God wants us to spend our lives in surrender to Him. All of His creation reminds us, “How many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions.”

Today, you do not need to worry, be obsessed with your foes, or seek vengeance. Instead, trust your life to the Lord. He will take care of your every need.