In the Word: Never Alone (Part 2)
Welcome to Hope Mommies’ In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be studying Psalm 139 together. This Psalm is used often (and rightly so) to demonstrate the value of human life, and God’s care for us from even before we were conceived. What can we learn about God’s tender care for us and for our babies from these verses? How does a greater knowledge of these truths offer hope and comfort to us in the midst of grief?
NEVER ALONE (Part 2)
“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
and the light about me be night,”
even the darkness is not dark to you;
the night is bright as the day,
for darkness is as light with you.”
Psalm 139:7-12
READ:
There is a story of hope and promise following the well-known Bible story of Jesus feeding the five thousand. After Jesus performed a miracle by feeding over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish, Mark 6:45-46 says, “Immediately He made His disciples get into a boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He dismissed the crowd. And after He had taken leave of them, He went up on the mountain to pray.”
The story goes on to say He saw the disciples straining while rowing their boat because of the wind. And He walked out to them – on the water! They were afraid but He calmed them down and got in their boat and “the wind ceased.”
Jesus left a quiet, peaceful spot where He retreated after feeding and ministering to the crowds. Surely, Jesus needed a little time to sit with His heavenly Father. But rather than meeting His own need, He chose to comfort His friends. He may have sent them out in a boat with a storm brewing, but He never took His eyes off of them.
I love this story because it’s a perfect example of how we may not realize our heavenly Father is watching us. We tend to focus on the hardship and think we are rowing our boats alone – against the wind. It’s encouraging knowing Jesus has His eye on me when I am in the boat of life and the waves and wind are battering me. When I am struggling to keep my boat afloat, Jesus is watching over me and comes to quiet my storm and bring peace.
I have been living as a Hope Mommy for over 23 years, and I have felt the Lord’s strength support me and His hand guiding me into an assurance of His hope and comfort. When I am tempted to question, I rely on the promise that the Lord is with me. He is always with me – even when I don’t feel it.
“If I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”
Psalms 139:9-10
How about you, Hope Mommy? Do you feel alone? Do you feel like you are in a boat in the ocean with a terrible storm tossing you about? Well, the Lord has His eye on you! Look for Him in the storm. Seek Him in your storm of grief, and He will come to you and quiet your storm so you can have peace and joy. He will never leave you alone.
“The LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.”
Psalms 121:8
REFLECT:
- How does knowing God has His eye on you help you feel like you aren’t alone?
- In what ways are you seeking the Lord in the midst of your storm?
JOURNAL:
Write out your struggle of feeling alone in grief and then read all of Psalm 139:7-12 and compare your feelings with God’s promises.
- Shelly
Hope Mom to Zachary Robert
Shelly D. Templin is an author, speaker and blogger that shares a message of hope—with humor. She has three daughters, a son-in-law, and a granddaughter. Shelly lives in Texas with her husband, Jack, of 29 years and their two dogs.
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