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REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is merchant shipping. Merchant shipping means a ship that deals with commerce or trade. Merchant shipping was primarily carried out in Tyre. Tyre was the leading city of Phoenicia situated in the north of Israel. It was widely known for its magnificent maritime success in the ancient world. It was an important harbour and centre for shipping. Tyre was a city of commerce and materialism because of its success in Merchant Shipping. Due to its great success and prosperity, Tyre had become proud and filled with self-glory hence the Lord brought His judgement upon it to humble it. Isaiah made it known in his prophesy that, “Wail, O ships of Tarshish, for Tyre is laid waste, without house or harbour! From the land of Cyprus, it is revealed to them. Be still, O inhabitants of the coast; the merchants of Sidon, who cross the sea, have filled you. And on many waters your revenue was the grain of Shihor, the harvest of the Nile; you were the merchant of the nations.” (Isaiah 23:1-3). In other words, Tyre which was famous for its merchant shipping among the nations would be humbled by being laid waste without house or harbour. They would be left with nothing to boast about and this would serve as a lesson to the other nations.

Dear friends in the Lord, the lesson of our reflection is that no matter how prosperous you are, you must humble yourself under the sovereignty of God. Do not allow your flourishing merchant ship to be the source of your pride for God owns the goods, the ship and the sea. We must give glory to Him and humble ourselves before Him when we are elevated or made prosperous in our businesses or endeavours. “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. ” (Proverbs 16:18) We are admonished in James 4:10 to “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to live a life of humility even in the midst of prosperity and abundance. Amen.