Great Plains Daily Devotional for 11/24/2018

Psalm 93 

The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.

The seas have lifted up, Lord,
    the seas have lifted up their voice;
    the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
    mightier than the breakers of the sea—
    the Lord on high is mighty.

Your statutes, Lord, stand firm;
    holiness adorns your house
    for endless days.

For many years I lived about a 45-minute drive from the Pacific coast. I would go there and listen to the waves as they rhythmically washed up on the sandy shore. I found the sound of water flowing over sand then retreating back to the ocean soothing. I felt peaceful as each wave softly whispered, “Shhhh.” In the busyness of life, this was a refuge for me. It reminded me that God cares for me and grants me peace if I’ll but listen.

But not all shorelines are the same. At some the waves don’t whisper but roar. Large, powerful waves, like jagged walls capped in white, thunder against boulders. It’s a deafening sound. Even yelling to those nearby can’t be heard. These powerful, crashing waves reminded me of the power of the Creator who made the vast ocean that stretched before me as far as I could see.

The voice of the waters evokes the imagery of the voice of the ocean of humanity. As I consider the world around me, I hear raging voices full of hate, division and violence, voices that seek to drown lesser voices, to smash and wash away anything that stands in their way. In these moments I cry out to God in the deafening din that surrounds me and wonder if my voice can be heard at all, if it matters.

Then I remember the quiet seashore, the gentle, “Shhhh.” Then I know that I am treasured by a God whose love is greater than hate, a God who soothes division, a God who overcomes violence. Then I know God speaks words of peace to all with a soft voice. Then I know God hears my voice when I call, and my voice matters as I too speak these words of peace.

Prayer for Reflection