Freely Speaking - Devotional by Marge Webb

Welcome to Freely Speaking, an OHSOFREE devotional ministry where we share our hearts and trust God for transformation.

Today’s devotional is written by Marge Webb, and narrated by Angela Gray.

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters” (Psalm 18:16 NIV).

The beautiful blue waves crashed upon the beach. Our family was visiting my mother-in-law in San Diego, so we drove to one of the loveliest beaches in the country. Our young children swam in shallow water and looked for seashells.

Suddenly Jeff spotted a group of porpoises far from the shore and dove into the water to try to swim with them. As he got close to the pod, we saw him turn around and head back. By this time the current was strong and carried him out toward the middle of the Pacific instead of bringing him back to shore. I knew he was in trouble, but the lifeguard station was too far away for them to see me signal. I was frantic, but if we ran to get the lifeguard we would lose visibility of Jeff. We waited and watched.

This incident from years ago instantly brought fear to me that has persisted. I once loved being in the water. Now I fear ocean waves and even deep water in a pool.

The Psalms often speak about God keeping us safe in the water. Many New Testament writers also compare water and struggles since some books were written by fishermen turned disciples. One such story in the gospels tells of the disciples fearing for their lives when waves nearly capsize their boat. Jesus speaks to the waves and they stop. The disciples marvel and say, “Who is this, that even the winds and waves obey Him?”

As a San Diego kid and conqueror of waves, Jeff used his extensive knowledge and skill that day many years ago to get back on shore. He was safe. But I believe that there was a heavenly Father watching over him who lifted him out of the water. During many years of marriage, Jeff and I have survived countless storms. As the psalmist David says above, God has reached down and brought us out of deep waters.

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