Sometimes, what we have to go through can bring us down to some pretty scary depths of intense emotions and heavy despair. Understanding the why’s and how’s is just not in the cards. It can be extremely discouraging, frustrating, and painful. The loss of a child, the illness of a loved one, the loss of income, or the division within a family.

This morning I was reading Psalms 77. The Israelites were going through a low time, so they wrote a song about to lament about how God seemed distant and had possibly forgotten them during this difficult time. As the Psalm continues, the writer decides he needs to look back at how the Lord had been there for them before: how He had redeemed them from being enslaved to the Egyptians, how He had led them through the waters, and how He had control over all earthly situations.

Here is how it reads:
“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me.
In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints.
Then I said, ‘I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.’
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

“Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph.

“When the waters saw you, O God, when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth tumbled and shook.

“Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
You led our people like a flock…”
Psalm 77: 1-3, 10-20a

The Israelites had to remember that when they got the Red Sea, it seemed impossible to cross. But, they had to take that step of faith to go down into the seemingly impossible deep, dark, murky place of the depths of the sea to get to the other side. They were led to this place, at that time, for a purpose. If they chose to trust, then they would see God’s hand as He led them through the biggest challenge of faith they would ever have to deal with! With the thunders and lightning going on overhead, and the tall waters churning at their sides, they took those very important steps of faith, and as they went through the sea and walked up the bank on the other side, can you imagine their amazement? They made it through!

They had to have realized at that point that yes, their God can be trusted, He is mighty, and He has their lives in His hands.

He redeemed them from a life of slavery, He WILL fight for them as their King, He WILL guide them as their Shepherd, and He WILL provide for them as their Father.

This is true for us today!

Whatever it is that you are going through, take a few moments to look back and reflect; remember what the Lord has done for you already. He has redeemed you, He has fought for you, He has gotten you through some difficult times, and He will CONTINUE to do so.

For me, my favorite part of this chapter is:
“Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.“

We may not recognize that the Lord is with us or leading us at this moment, but He is there. His footprints may not be noticeable, but He is there. How can we know? WELL, He tells us this over and over in Scripture, and when you look back at your life, you will see and remember how He has always been there through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, the highs and lows, and has always gotten you to the other side safely.
He will never let you down. Don’t doubt Him now.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
Isaiah 43:2

Food for thought: Do you write down when the Lord answers your prayers? Do you write down or share your testimony of God’s work in your life?

Fun facts: The Red Sea is 1,400 miles long and 221 miles wide at its widest point. The Red Sea is bordered on its eastern shore by Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, and on its western shore by Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti. The maximum depth is 7,254 feet and the average depth is 1,610 feet below the surface. About 40% of the Red Sea is quite shallow (under 330 feet), and about 25% is under 164 feet deep.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Waves and the Great Blue Heron.