By F. D. Adkins
I am not sure if I have mentioned this before, so if I have, I am going to share it again. I love the beach. And I mean that in the literal sense. Sitting on the beach in the summer with the cool breeze blowing in off the ocean is relaxing. However, I do not like getting in the ocean. Being pounded by wave after wave while the undertow tries to jerk my feet out from under me is not enjoyable. Add sharks and the possibility of infection if an open wound exists, and I think I was meant to admire and respect this massive, beautiful body of water that God created safely from the sandy beach.
I am using this description because, honestly, doesn’t life feel like trying to stand up in the ocean? Some days we are pounded by big waves, and some days we are rocked by small waves. But it seems there are always waves. And while we are battling these crashing waves, something else comes along and tries to pull our feet out from under us. Then, there are those really bad days, when out of nowhere, a shiver of sharks hiding beneath the surface goes into a feeding frenzy, surrounds us, and attempts to have us for a snack.
Recently, I have been studying the book of Psalms. And I especially have taken note of the lament Psalms because these psalms that cry out to God remind me that we are all human. We all go through times of pain. We all go through times of distress. Sometimes, we all go to bed feeling broken.
I wanted to use Psalm 10 as an example because as I read it, the words reminded me of the world we face today. The psalmist starts out in verse one crying out to God. He says, “Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV). The psalmist goes on to question why God is allowing the evil people to continue to hurt the innocent and prey on the poor. But after the psalmist lets out his sorrow, he concludes by coming back to his knowledge that he knows God is not standing far off. He knows God hears his cry of pain and that God has a plan. The psalmist says, “The Lord is King forever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land. Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear” (Psalm 10:16-17 KJV).
As Christians, we know we are going to face times of trouble. But, as Christians, we know our story has a happy ending because, in spite of the waves, the undertow, the bacteria, and the sharks, we will live happily ever after with Jesus in Heaven.
So, how do we stand against the waves, the undertow, the bacteria, and the sharks? We have to remember we are constantly in a spiritual battle.
- “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12 KJV.
Paul goes on in Ephesians to explain the armor we need in order to fight this spiritual battle. But, since I used the analogy of standing in the ocean, I am only going to reference one in this blog.
- “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15 KJV.
The Roman soldiers wore shoes that had spikes hammered into the bottom for traction. I imagine the spikes dug into the soil giving them sure-footedness. The above verse tells us to arm ourselves with the shoes of the gospel of peace. If we don’t have good traction, we can easily be knocked over or our legs jerked out from under us. We need a good foundation. We need to be at peace with God. We need to know that we have a relationship with Him, and that we have accepted His gift of salvation.
When the world tells me that I am alone: God says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).
When the world leaves me broken: God says, “And with His stripes, we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 KJV).
When the world tells me I can’t: God says that “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
When the world tells me that I am a nobody, God says, (I am a child of God) “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” (Romans 8:16 KJV.)
Bible Verse For This Week:
