“When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.” Psalm 91:15

Stopping the Waves

I’ve often walked along the ocean’s edge and watched the waves coming in, wondering why the waves stop. Why don’t they keep going? I know there are things like the shape of the planet, gravitational pull, the impact of the sun and the moon, etc., that control them.

But basically, the bottom line is because this is how God planned and ordered it. HE won’t let the waves keep going. He stops them at a certain point so that they don’t envelop the earth. He planned the beauty and majesty of the oceans, but He keeps them in control through the laws in nature that He created. He won’t let them overrule the earth. He won’t let the waters overtake the land.

This same God won’t let the “waves” of our trials be too much! He won’t let us be overtaken and consumed by the battles we go through. He won’t let us be washed away. He won’t let the flood tides of hardship drown us. He remembers that we’re dust. He won’t let the waves of pain, sickness, needs, and difficulty inundate us.

There have been times, even in recent days, when the things I’m facing have seemed so overwhelming. The “waves” have come in multiples—one would be a lot, but numerous ones all at once seem like they’re too much. But God won’t allow “too much” to come my way. He protects me from being washed away in the battle.

Just when I’m thinking I might drown, He turns the tide and holds back the pressure of the waves. When I cry out “help me,” He hears and tells the “waves of trial” that they can’t come any further in my life! He speaks and situations change in my day. He is God. He can bring change. I can’t endure, but He can come to my rescue. He is so faithful!

I’ve read articles debating this point that say God does allow “too much” to come our way in order to show us our need of Him… and to allow Him to be God in our lives. I’m not a theologian. I’m not debating the semantics. I just know that He is there when I need Him. He keeps me from being drowned by the waves of trial, and He comes to my rescue time and time again when I call.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).

“Lord, I’m grateful that You are so close and that You hear my faintest whisper when I cry out for help. You come to meet me, to help me, to rescue me. You keep the waves from overpowering me, from coming too far. What an amazing and awesome God You are!”