“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3 NIV

The Waves

I stood on the shore of Lake Tahoe and watched as the waves came up to my feet. Like a fickle puppy or kitten wanting to play, teasing me, the water would run back into the lake and hide. Caught up in the wave, it would run up to my toes as if to beckon me to come and play, but again, rush out to sea, as if to say “catch me if you can.” Job 38 came to mind when God was telling Job how He had laid out the earth’s foundation and shut up the sea behind doors, and fixed limits for it, and said, “This far you may come and no farther. Here your proud waves must stop” (Job 38:11).

I spoke it out loud, pointing my finger at it as if taunting the obedient waves. “This far and no more, here your proud waves must stop,” I said to the wave licking my toes. My heart was overwhelmed at the majesty of those words. He is awesome and the waves are compelled to obey Him. Likewise, in Matthew 8:27 after Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves—“Peace, be still”—the men were as amazed as I am. “What kind of man is this—even the wind and the waves obey him?” (NIV)

I have cried out to the Lord, “Lord, save me, or the wind will blow me away, and the waves will drown me.” I have recognized His presence with me in my storm, and heard Him whisper, “Trust Me.” That is all, just “Trust Me.”

Sometimes He rebukes my little faith, my lack of trust, my lack of truly believing that He is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do. Sometimes He questions me, asking why I am afraid. I have asked myself the same thing.  IF I believe Who He says He is and IF I trust Him completely like I say I do, and think I do, then why would I ever fear or worry? Have I prayed for God’s hand upon my children and grandchildren? Yes! Do I trust Him with their souls, wherever they choose to go? Whatever they choose to do? Do I trust that He has called them and led them into their chosen professions? Do I trust Him to draw them into a close relationship with Him? Yes! King David also expressed his occasional fears and worries to God. He always ended up praising and rejoicing in the goodness and faithfulness of God. What a perfect place to end.

As I challenge my faith to believe and trust the One Who speaks to the wind and the waves, I conclude with this prayer from Psalm 9:10:

“Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.”