God is Always There

“When I said, ‘My foot is slipping’, your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” - Psalm 94:18-19

 

 “But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’”- Matthew 14:30-31

 

          Here we have two examples of how God saves His children from harm. In Psalm 94, an anonymous writer cringes under the oppressive hand of his adversary and wonders when God will bring retribution. When I think of a foot slipping, I imagine in my mind’s eye an individual climbing a rocky incline. When someone walks on wet, mossy rocks on a jetty by the ocean they might also have the occasion to slip. The writer proclaims something that the Bible makes abundantly clear throughout its pages: the unfailing love of God. There is nothing that compares to the unconditional, eternal love of our creator for His creation. That love, says the writer, supported him. 

          Shifting gears to Peter in the gospel of Matthew: the disciples were in a boat on lake heading to Gennesaret when they spied what they thought to be a ghost coming towards them walking on the water. It was Jesus. He told them not to fear. Peter, in all his brash, boldness, said that if it was truly Jesus, bid him come to Him on the water. Jesus bid him come and the rest of the story is shown above. 

          The wind and waves in the gospel story represent life’s turbulence and troubles. We can become terrified as Peter did at the sight of them or we can remain calm and trust our Savior. He panicked, a very human response, and was saved by Jesus’ own hand. Notice the word ‘immediately’ in verse 31. We should be thankful that while our help may not always be immediate, when the situation is critical and immediacy is warranted, God is there with His hand extended. Joy may be an understatement for the feelings we might experience in the face of trouble that has been either remedied or averted altogether. God is always there watching, loving, caring. He is always there even when no one else is. Yield your life to His care. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries