His Deep Calls to My Deep

Scripture:
Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your billows have swept over me.
Psalm 42:7

Observation: As the psalmist continues this song, he reflects back and forth about the theme of internal emotions vs. peace from the Lord. He is depressed, but thinks upon the calming rush of water and waves. He feels oppressed by the world, but recalls that his hope remains in the Lord.

Application: Just before beginning today's reading, I prayed. I asked the Lord why it is that, in my thought life, I seem to dwell in a cycle of anger. I actually have a running fictional narrative where I am in debate and conflict with others ... scenarios that are 100 percent fictional without any tie to reality in my life, and yet this is a recurring thought narrative for me. Why would I be like that? Why would I actively place myself into a mental state of anger and stress?

And here is the truth, immediately said back to me by the Lord ... this mental state is not from him. No, he is the deep, rushing mountain waterfalls that give joy and comfort. He is the warm ocean breeze and calming lap of waves on the beach. He is the beauty of a forest or field full of wildflowers, containing nothing but peace and comfort.

The Lord reaches out to me with his love, and offers me a life of peace. I actively retreat into a life of anger and angst and stress and trials.

Even Jesus today points out that all I need to do in life is retreat into the love and support of the Lord. I am more important than birds and grass, and so the Lord will absolutely provide for me. And he does! I so greatly love the quiet calm of lapping ocean waves on the beach, and the Lord has given me regular access to that. I love mountain views, and I live with them out my own window.

The deep of the Lord - his deep love and calm and reassuring sounds of his natural creation - calls to the deep of my soul. All I need to do is allow his love to sweep over me. Oh, how I wish I would just learn and receive his love.

Prayer: Lord, I do not even know what to pray today, for I realize that what I would ask for you have actually already given me. You offer everything, I then I ask for it because I just don't know enough to open my hands and receive your love and blessings. May my heart be softened and my mind renewed by the roar of your waterfalls, as your breakers and billows sweep over me. Amen.