Pearls of the Word

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The limit of our desires

by Jean-Louis Coraboeuf

"Then they are glad because they are quiet; so He guides them to the limit [machoz] of their desire" (Psalm 107:30 Interlinear).

According to Hebrew thought, the word machoz means 'haven', 'purpose with a notion of limit'. The verses 23 to 32 of this psalm speak of sailors who with their human wisdom wanted to go further. They were familiar with the works of God and the wonders of the depths of the ocean.

But God caused a storm to blow on them to destroy their wisdom. And as the waves were huge, the souls of sailors were filled with terror. Then they cried to the Lord who calmed the waves, and they could rejoice at the regained calm and praise Him for His goodness and His wonders in their favour. Thus God showed them that there was a limit to their desires.