hope in midst of suffering
This past week our school community has suffered a great loss. Our head basketball coach, a man who exemplified Godly character, strength, and grace, passed away from cancer. It was a long, hard fight and he continued to tell the story of God’s salvation and the hope of heaven to every person he came in contact with, including on the basketball court.
His loss has left a huge void in our school. I pray that the example he left will live on in the lives of the students, faculty, and families that he touched. His message was to not fear, find your strength in the Lord, and do all things for His glory and lived that out to the end.
As I process his passing, I think of many scripture verses from Psalm as comfort. Psalm 93:3-4 is just one of them. It’s applicable to this circumstance, but I believe it can be applicable to whatever circumstance you are going through as well.
when the flood waters come
Between work, family, personal obligations, medical diagnosis, and the daily news, there are countless things coming at us that can make it feel like the flood waters and waves are lifting up their voices and overtaking us. The constant barrage can be overwhelming.
The activity all around us can begin to seem like a roar, drowning out the calming voice of Peace.
I love the contrast of Psalm 93:3 to Psalm 93:4.
Verse 3 is the cry
The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
The soul is overwhelmed. The flood waters keep coming and there seems to be no end. The sound of the roaring waves is deafening, drowning out anything else that we are trying to tune our ears to.
Verse 4 is the promise
Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty!
Those waves may seem strong, but we have a God that is mightier. Life’s distractions and roar can be thundering, but we serve a God whose calm, peaceful voice can break through all that.
Are you feeling overwhelmed?
Most likely the roar of the waves of life are bearing down strong on you. Here is a gentle reminder to go to the One who is mightier than any wave. Just like He calms the stormy seas of Galilee, He can also speak peace to your heart when it feels like the waves are over taking it.
Take a moment in the middle of your storm to be still. Speak the promise of Psalm 93:4 out loud.
“Mightier than the thunders of the waters and mightier that the waves of the sea is our God on High!”
Be encouraged, friend. He is still calming waters today.
It feels fitting to end this with the reminder of the hope and power of our Lord, in the words of the late Coach Marc Davidson:“…Our hope has never been in a doctor’s report. My hope is set firmly on the finished work of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Whether in this life or in Heaven, because of Jesus, I am more than a conqueror! I remain steadfast in my commitment to honor Him with every breath He gives me. May the name of the Lord be praised.”
