Stand firm!

After my husband and I got married (8 years ago in July), we headed to Virginia Beach to honeymoon. We spent about 3 days on the beach, and 2 of those days the beach was closed due to huge surf and under tow. Bummer! But being young twenty-somethings, that didn't stop us! After the life guards would leave the beach around 4:30pm, we headed out to the dangerous waters. We were less than 10 yards from shore, where the water would be just below the knee. Then a huge wave would swallow us and we couldn't even stand! When the water would flee, we were disoriented and turned around. We really had no business being out there at all, and were very lucky to not be swept away.

I was reminded of our time in Virginia Beach this week. I have felt lately that sometimes I am with-standing the Devil's attacks, and then all of a sudden without warning I am swallowed in sin and helplessness. I feel as though I'm drowning and close to being swept away from my God's mighty hand. Have you ever felt as though you're drowning in sin and disobedience and this time God just can not rescue you? Psalm 103 says otherwise.

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
(emphasis mine)

I was reminded of a song from Casting Crowns, East to West. Read these lyrics and let them penetrate your heart.

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Chorus:
Jesus can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'Cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

I start the day, the war begins, endless reminding of my sin
Time and time again Your truth is drowned out by the storm I'm in
Today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Chorus:

I know You've washed me white, turned my darkness into light
I need Your peace to get me through
get me through this night
I can't live by what I feel, but by the truth Your word reveals
I'm not holding on to You, but You're holding on to me
You're holding on to me

Chorus:

Just how far, east is from the west
Just how far, one scarred hand to the other
You know just how far, just how far east is from west
Just how far, from one scarred hand to the other


God is compassionate. Where we can not forget, He can. Where compassion is a struggle for us, He has an over abundance. Will you rest in Him today? Will you believe His promises that you can stand before Him white as snow, blameless in His sight?
Remember our verse this week:
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8.

I love the word takes in this verse. It is available to you. Just grab hold! Take refuge in Him and let Him cover you with the saving grace of His mercy!