...fearful waters of life...

1 I cry aloud to God,

aloud to God, that he may hear me…

7 Will the Lord spurn forever,

and never again be favorable?

8 Has his steadfast love ceased forever?

Are his promises at an end for all time?

9 Has God forgotten to be gracious?

  Has he in anger shut up his compassion?…

11 I will call to mind the deeds of YHWH;

I will remember your miracles of old.

12 I will meditate on all your work,

and muse on your mighty deeds…

16 When the waters saw you, O God,

when the waters saw you, they were afraid;

the very deep trembled.

17 The clouds poured out water;

the skies thundered;

your arrows flashed on every side.

18 The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;

your lightnings lit up the world;

the earth trembled and shook.

19 Your way was through the sea,

your path, through the mighty waters;

yet your footprints were unseen.

20 You led your people like a flock

 the hand of Moses and Aaron (Psalm 77.1, 7–9, 11–12, 16–20).

Here in Psalm 77, again and again, it is God’s powerful rescue of His people in the Exodus that provides the template: the sign of what His power can do, and the pledge that it will happen again when Israel needs it.

Look at God's deeds, declares the psalmist in Psalm 114 to the world of creation, and tremble:

7 Tremble, O earth, at the presence of YHWH,

at the presence of the “God of Jacob,”

8 who turns the rock into a pool of water,

the flint into a spring of water (Psalm 114.7–8).

A Prayer

Oh God, I tremble when I think of what You can do, if You choose. I pray You turn this stoney rock into water of life. Forgive me, free me, guide and lead me with Your steadfast love, and do not forget to be compassionate and gracious. Instead, turn me to meditate on all your work, and meditate on Your mighty deeds. Do not let Your anger fall upon me. I know You and love You, despite my sin. Let the clouds thunder and the skies open up torrents of rain to wash me clean and pull me through the floods of death. May You lead me through Your way forever. Amen.