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Have you ever stood on a sun-baked beach and allowed the frothy white surf to wash over your feet as it rolls ashore? Have you felt the sand beneath your toes erode away as the water slips back out, only to be replaced by another wave seconds later?
The few times I've had the pleasure of experiencing a tropical beach, I have always enjoyed the sensation of waves over my feet and sand eroding underneath. If you stand in one place for too long, your feet sink deeper into the sand with each passing wave. In a fun kind of way, it feels like you are standing in quicksand—that if you don't relocate, you'll be knee-deep in no time and others will witness you sinking and shrinking before their eyes!
In life, have you ever been overcome by worry, fear, and anxiety? Have you felt as though you’re sinking in the sand with no way out? Let's face facts; being human means an ocean filled with unpredictable surf. Sometimes the waves are calm, the sand firm under foot. Other times, whitecaps pound the shore to the point where it’s challenging to weather the onslaught and stay upright. If we don’t take immediate action, our hearts become heavy with despair.
That my friend, is not where God wants us to be.
As much as you and I might share a love for the beach, waves and even sinking sand, I’d like to ask you this: What’s under your feet when the ground shifts from too many wilderness experiences? I understand that it’s not always easy to praise God when the road before you is crumbling. Did you know that it’s during those times of despair that we must do just that? WE MUST PRAISE GOD!
Don’t believe me?
“I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace. I will boast of all his kindness to me. Let all who are discouraged take heart. Let us praise the Lord together and exalt his name. (Psalm 34: 1-3, TLB)
This morning when I awoke, my heart felt troubled with worry over friends and family. My feet were sinking into the sand, and part of me felt angry at God for allowing these upsetting situations into my life. “I’ve prayed long and hard Lord,” I reminded Him. “Why God have so many things gone sideways and visibly opposite to how I’ve been asking?”
It was then the song, 10,000 Reasons, by Matt Redman, came across my smart-speaker as I sat at my kitchen table. My ears perked up at the lyrics:
Bless the Lord oh my soul,
oh my soul.
Worship his holy name.
Sing like never before,
oh my soul.
I worship your holy name. (10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman)
Then and there, God lifted my feet from the sinking sand and placed them on a fresh patch of ground. He reminded me that it was my job to praise Him no matter what and that He was taking care of business—even if my eyes couldn’t see it and even if my heart couldn’t feel it.
No matter what’s going on in my life and yours, here’s a final verse to solidify our resolve to NEVER GIVE UP ON PRAISING GOD!
“The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” (Psalm 34: 17-19 TLB)
Paul Smythe
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