Safely Ashore

I'm glad you could join us for today's encouragement from the Our Daily Bread devotional.

Our reading is titled, Safely Assure, and it was written by Patricia Rabin. In Papua New Guinea, the Candace tribe awaited with excitement the arrival of New Testament Bibles printed in their language. To reach the village, however, the people bringing the books had to travel on the ocean in small boats. What gave them courage to travel across great waters?

Their seafaring skills, yes, but they also knew who created the seas. He's the one who guides each of us across our life's churning waves and deepest waters. As David wrote in Psalm 139, where can I go from your spirit? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me.

Your right hand will hold me fast. These words would resonate deeply with the Candace, who live on an island nation whose tropical coasts, dense rainforests, and rugged mountains have been called the last unknown. Yet as believers there and everywhere know, no place or problem is too remote for God. Even the darkness will not be dark to you, says Psalm 139 verse 12, and the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. On stormy waters, therefore, our God speaks, peace be still, and the waves and wind obey. So don't fear life's deep or turbulent waters today. Our God safely leads us ashore.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 139 verses 7 through 12. Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me.

Your right hand will hold me fast. If I say surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you. The night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus. We thank you for the precious gift of knowing you as our Lord and Savior. No matter where you lead us, whether to remote jungles, to blaring cities, or to quiet pastures, help us to trust you. When times are difficult and unsure, give us your peace and assurance that you are always with us and that you will bring us to the other side. We thank you, Jesus, and it's in your name we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.