January 26, 2022

Who has numbered every grain of sand?

Who has held the oceans in his hand?

One day this past summer, I took my boat out on the lake. (Ok, it’s actually a one-person kayak.) Early that morning, the water was fairly calm so I planned to get some paddling time in. However, by the time I actually got out onto the water, the wind had picked up a bit and the water was getting choppy. A little kayak on a choppy lake is an intimidating setting, at least for me. The current was strong and it took a lot of effort to go where I wanted to go instead of going where it took me. But, since I had determined to go out that day, I really wanted to give it a shot. Then a couple of larger waves broke over the front of my kayak and I began to have second thoughts (panic, actually). My desire to not die was stronger than my desire to kayak, so I didn’t last too long on the water.

Right now, many of you feel like I did that day. Instead of being able to paddle your way to where you want to go, you find yourself at the mercy of the waves around you and you are just trying to hold your own. The waves of world events, political instability, family issues, and of course, the relentless challenge of COVID and other illnesses all contribute to this fear of being taken over.

But wait. Who is holding the waves? Yes, the waves are surrounding you, but who has the waves? Isaiah asked us this question. “Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand…?” (40.12a) The answer is God. The waves only appear to have you, but God has the waves and they all fit into the hollow of his hand. That seems to me to be a really big hand!

Who has numbered every grain of sand?

Who has held the oceans in his hand?

Behold our God!

Back on shore,

Bob

Sunday’s text: 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16 (at least that’s the plan)