There isn’t anything that I don’t like about being at the ocean. I see God’s hand everywhere, everyday in my life…but it is evident on a grand scale at the ocean.
The vastness of the sea is breath taking, especially on a crystal clear day when there is a distinct horizon line between water and sky.
But often the days are not crystal clear. We cannot see a distinct horizon line. On those days, it doesn’t mean that the horizon isn’t there, it just means that we cannot clearly see it.
If these days it seems that you can’t see the horizon line, hold fast to His hand. He is still there.
If these days it seems that you can’t find his hand, reach for it. He will take your hand in his.
If these days it seems that there is no way out of the mess in which you find yourself, don’t give up. He is there.
I often see and hear Jeremiah 29:11 quoted “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
But read verse 10, “This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.
Where the trials are over, he promises to bring them back. We might have to endure our trials before the plans to prosper come to fruition.
Then verses 12 and 13 “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.””
For the days when it seems like there is no answer…Jesus is the answer.
For when the days are long and the night longer and dark…Jesus is the light.
For when it seems like the rope will not hold and we are losing our grip…Jesus comes to hold us up.
For the days when we just. cannot. do. it. ANYMORE…we don’t have too. Jesus will.
Friend, I don’t know your struggle, but I prayed for you today. I prayed for everyone that will read this blog post once I push publish. I don’t have the answers to your problems…but Jesus does. No matter how dark your days, how long your nights, how low your bank account, what medical test you are having, what job you are losing or can’t get…Jesus has the answer. I pray you find peace and comfort in His loving arms.
I would love to pray for you…if you have a specific prayer request, please leave it in the comments.
Hi Mary! I popped over here from the Consilium. Such encouraging words in this post. There have been times in my life when I just couldn't do it anymore…but every time I looked to Jesus, He was there to lift me up. Trials come, but we are never alone! Thank God!
In His grip, Joan
Never alone…YES! I find great comfort in that, Joan. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi, I was moved by your words of encouragement and richer for applying to my heart. Thank you. When I think of verse 10 before 11 I always think…here. Where i am today….is His plan for me…I may not understand or even agree, but if He is good then it must be good for me. Without the struggle would we ever learn. Without the lesson could we ever move on. The answers are in the mystery and the mysteries are in His hand.
" if He is good then it must be good for me"….what a difficult idea to embrace at times. But so very true.
Thank you for sharing Jer 29:11 in context, Mary. So many people misapply that verse! I just finished teaching through Daniel and love the story of the fiery furnace. Their faith = our God can save us, but even if He doesn't, we won't bend.
Praying for YOU today, sweet Mary 🙂
Oh, dear, dear friend…how precious you are to me. I am so NOT the Bible scholar you are, but I do understand that context is so very important!! I love girl.
Thank you for your prayers…right back at you.
Beautiful words, I too love the ocean. thank you for sharing this.
You are welcome, Sharon. Thank you for stopping by.
I so needed this Mary!!! I've been questioning whether I'm on the right path (doing what God called me to do), what I thought was the right direction and potential for working in areas where I felt my natural talents and abilities would be utilized, is now looking less and less likely to happen and more of the tasks that I struggle with are being added. So many things have happened in the last several months…my parents divorcing after 44 years of marriage (my mom moving out of state and leaving me to pack up all of her things at my dad's), my granddaughter who just turned one struggling with illnesses and not sure of the cause, my daughter's struggles in her marriage and the feeling of guilt about my own choices in life- not wanting my children to suffer the same struggles, and the financial issues well that's been a long standing struggle too. Sometimes it's all just so overwhelming…
Thanks for your comforting words friend <3
Dear Lanette, I am praying for sweet friend. The struggles, the trials, we don't understand but He does. I'll be praying with you and for you. Hugs~
Mary from New Zealand here…also popping over from Consilium….I just want to THANK you for this timely encouragement….it was as if God Himself was speaking through you, to me. God Bless you.
Oh, Mary…thank you. If you were blessed by my words I am humbled.
We were at the beach last week and every day wondered how far away the horizon line really was. (I finally looked it up–about 3 miles). The ocean is just so big and unfathomable that it helps put things into perspective.
However, I'm still struggling now with something I was struggling with then, and I'd love for you to pray for me, since you're offering! My daughter and her roommate have had some serious issues come up repeatedly the past month, to the point where we're asking the roommate to find somewhere else to live. It's been a terribly sad situation for all of us, but we're certain it's the right thing. My heart remains so heavy about it though, and I'm not sure what's going to happen next for the roommate. I know God will take care of her, but it's so hard to watch in the meantime.
Oh sweet friend! I did not realize I had not published & responded to this comment until today. BUT…I have been praying for you since the day you commented and I saw the comment in my e-mail. I hope things are looking up. Hugs~
Thank you for your prayers! Yes, they are looking up. Yesterday was a breakthrough in that the roommate at least moved out. They're still working on the friendship.
It's God's perfect timing that I came to read this post just today. Facing a lay off at the end of the month, while hubby is still unemployed, has brought nothing but fear and worry. I've wanted to throw my hands up and say, "God take this cup from me". I know He's bigger and able to provide far and above what I could ever hope.
I have been praying for you my friend. Seriously praying. I don't know why things are like this, but He does. May you find peace in know that He holds it all.