God’s Power and Your Problems

If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me. And Your right hand shall hold me.
(Psalm 139:9 NKJV)

Does your life feel more like a tsunami instead of a sunny day at the beach? The hope you had yesterday has floated out to sea. Yesterday’s rejoicing has catapulted into today’s tears. You sift through the wreckage of your life as questions race through your mind. Why my child? Why my husband? How did this happen to us? Where did I go wrong? How did I not see this coming?

In Scripture, the sea often symbolizes intense suffering. Almost seventy percent of the earth is covered by sea water (www.usgs.gov). That’s a lot of suffering, but the good news is that God is more powerful than the ocean waves. His power withstands hurricanes, and His hand is never moved by a tsunami.

Let’s unpack our verse. God’s intimate knowledge overwhelms David. He acknowledges that even in the depths of the sea, God abides. He knows where we are and He knows how we are.

David acknowledges that God’s hand leads him even in the midst of the sea, and in the midst of his trials.

The Hebrew word for “hand” here can mean power or strength. Despite the churning waves tossing you around, God’s power can lead you through the tumultuous waves. His strength will keep you from drowning in the difficulties of life.

Since God’s powerful hand leads us through our problematic seasons, why are we confused? Why do we feel alone?

What happened to Peter when he walked across stormy waves towards Jesus? He saw the gusting winds, and he took his eyes off Jesus. Sometimes. That’s exactly what we do.

We look at the chaos and forget the calm of Christ. That’s when the waves crash over our heads, and we shriek back, feeling abandoned by Jesus. What we feel and what is real are not the same. Our emotions play deceitful mind games with us. Once Satan grabs our attention and our emotions follow his lead.

Next, David wants to assure us that God’s right hand will hold us. We might have removed our focus from Christ, but He hasn’t let us go. God actually takes possession of us. He grasps us with a mighty grip.

Friend, He’s got you, and He is more powerful than your problems. His power exceeds every problem you have ever endured and every problem you have yet to face.

God holds us together, even when we fall apart.

Are you trying to rebuild after a tsunami? Are you in the midst of the storm? Are you wading through waters of affliction?

Turn to Jesus. Focus on Him. Never forget His powerful hand has you in a mighty grip, and He’s not letting go.

Lord, I thank You that You securely hold me in Your mighty hand. When the sea begins tossing me around, help me rely on You, my source of calm and not the storm itself. Amen.

DIG DEEPER

Read Matthew 14:22-33.

HIKING THE TRAIL

How can you remind yourself to focus on Christ and not the crisis?

RELATED RESOURCE

It is almost impossible to prepare for the unexpected, because it is just that – unexpected. What if you had a handy resource that gave you encouragement in those unexpected seasons? Learn more here.

 

Originally posted on August 2, 2021 @ 3:00 am