LightGrams
December 20, 2018
Volume 22, Number 45
Nazare, Portugal is where extreme surfers go. The form of the ocean inlet leads to unusually tall waves, sometimes reaching 80 feet or more. To put that in perspective think of a building that is 8 stories high. Now think about being perched on the edge of the roof of that building on a surfboard.
In November 2017 Brazilian Rodrigo Koxa rode an 80-foot wave, and set a record for the highest wave successfully surfed. For the past year he has also ridden the wave of popularity. It’s a feat even the most avid surfer can hardly imagine.
On December 18, 2018 Koxa’s wave came crashing down as British surfer Tom Butler caught a wave estimated to be 100 feet high. His ride was captured on video, and you can easily find it on the Internet. If the estimate proves accurate, Butler will be crowned the new champion of high waves at the World Surf League’s Big Wave Awards in April.
In my hikes through the mountains I’ve stood near the edge of some tall precipices. The drop from some of them would have been more than 100 feet. Note that I said “near” the edge; my respect of heights keeps me a safe distance from the edge. I can’t imagine being on a fluid precipice with nothing but a thin piece of wood to hold me up!
In life we sometimes stand on the edge of great trouble. We feel as if we are teetering at the brink of falling, a fall which will result in crushing pain or worse. Is there anything that can hold us up in the face of such waves?
Here’s a passage from Scripture to consider: “Unless the Lord had been my help, my soul would soon have settled in silence. If I say, ‘My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul” (Psalm 94:17-19). According to that, God is not just our safety net; He can keep us from falling.
Psalm 119:116,117 is another assurance of God’s help: “Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and I shall be safe, and I shall observe Your statutes continually.”
King David of Israel was often in perilous situations; his life was on a high wire. At the end of all his conflicts he composed these words: “God is my strength and power, and He makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of deer, and sets me on my high places” (2 Samuel 22:33,34). God knows how to protect His people!
Are you teetering on the edge of anxiety? “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
~~~~~
Copyright, 2018, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “Tim@GraceMine.org” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.