(Job 38:11) When I said, 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!'
I love going to the beach and watching the waves crash on the sand. And it so amazes me that the water goes back into the sea where it is retained and doesn’t flood the land. You know, that gives me hope because sometimes waves of fear or discontentment come over me and I feel helpless in their path. But God has promised that these proud waves must stop. I won’t be pulled away or drown. I’ll be safe on shore!
I don’t know about you but every now and then I feel like waves are coming and trying to wash me away. I remember being single and the wave was one of loneliness. Was I going to go at it solo and live life alone forever? Then when I was married and had kids I fought periodic waves of panic over the overwhelming responsibilities of family life. I have struggled with waves of discontentment over a job or ministry. There’s been the threat of being caught in the riptide of financial worry and never coming up for air. Health problems that won’t go away. Problems with a relationship that has been taxing and troubling. The list goes on and on.
What hope do we have that we’re not going under the waves that seek to pull us away and take us down to Davy Jones’ locker? Here’s some encouragement from the Word:
(Psa 89:9) You rule the raging of the sea; When its waves rise, You still them.
(Psa 93:4) The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, than the mighty waves of the sea.
You remember the disciples boat ride across the Galilee? A vicious storm arose threatening their lives with boisterous waves. They panicked. Where was Jesus? He was in the stern asleep on a pillow. Was He indifferent to their cry or unsympathetic to their plight? Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39) I like how He pierced the silence with . . . "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" (Mark 4:40)
That speaks to me that when waves arise we just have to trust in the Lord. Stand tall against that tidal wave and let God speak to it and say . . . 'This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!' That wave will crash right in front of you and then go back into the sea where it came from. You’ll be secure on dry land and ready for the Lord to complete that work in you. Soon you’ll experience the warm, gentle waves of God’s love washing over your soul giving you a peace and assurance that He is at work. And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace (John 1:16). Wave after wave of God’s grace. Swept away in His ocean of love. Floating. Basking. Frolicking. MMMmmm. Are you okay now?
Louie