Psalm 29, part one....

I could write at least 3 blogs on this Psalm, and I probably will, but I want to take a minute to specifically encourage some of you who are in the waters of life. What do I mean by "the waters"? (No cheating, Mac.)

Think of some Bible stories that involve the ocean. Then think of the circumstances surrounding these stories. For instance, let's look at Moses and the Red Sea. The Israelites are running for their lives, and all of the sudden they come to this ocean. Then they turn around and see an army of Egyptians coming to kill them. And we think a lot of paperwork is stressful...But then Moses obeys God's voice, raises his staff and parts the sea. Then there's Jonah on the boat with the sailors. Everything's going great, and then this horrible storm comes up. Apparently, the only solution is to throw Jonah into the water, and then God calms the storm. And then there's Jesus in the boat with the disciples, and another storm rages, and Jesus says, "Peace, be still." And the storm quiets down...

So what's the common denominator?

Check out Psalm 29:3--"The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters."

The voice of the Lord is over the waters. In each of these stories, when everyone is surrounded and death seems imminent, the solution-the salvation-is the same. This truth is proved over and over...

So where are you right now? Are you in the waters of life? Are you surrounded by stress, fatigue, sickness, or are you just in an inexplicably BAD situation? I can tell you this from experience--the voice of the Lord is over it. He knows about it. He's in control of it. He's got a plan for it.

If you get a chance, read the rest of this Psalm. It illustrates the power of God's voice over all of creation...I've always found it really encouraging in times of confusion, stress, or sorrow.

Take heart, dear hearts! "The Lord sits enthroned over the flood" (v. 10).

My thesis on the oaks and cedars to come...