READ Psalm 77:16–20. 16 The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. 17 The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. 18 Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind, your lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. 19 Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen. 20 You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
THE SUPREME EXODUS. Verses 13–20 are an example of a successful meditation, in which the psalmist preaches to his own heart about God’s grace revealed in the exodus. The result is that his heart believes afresh and he can face his problems. Christians have a far better way to assure ourselves that God will never abandon us or leave us. Jesus accomplished the greatest exodus of all, liberating us not just from social or political bondage but from sin and death (Luke 9:31). Also, his death on the cross is a model for how God often works his gracious purposes out through what looks like a defeat. When we meditate on that, we will have a resource for facing anything at all.
Prayer: Lord, I thank you that you are a God of infinite power, so that even the oceans and hurricanes do your bidding, yet you are a tender shepherd to us. If the infinite power in the universe is our loving shepherd, then we can live fearlessly. Amen.