Devotionals for the Heart: God can bring you through deep waters

Deep Waters
A devotional by Adriana Watt

“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.”—Psalm 42:7-8 (NIV)
When someone gives a name to a city, a business, or a person, the giver of the name chooses intentionally. The name has significance. This city I find myself in is named Deep Waters because it is near a spring with an unknown depth.

That name, Deep Waters, brought so many scriptures to mind about water cleansing and protecting us. Several examples from Scripture about this include but are not limited to: When a person professes faith in Jesus Christ and wants to be baptized, they are immersed in the water. This is an outward sign of their new life in Christ (Acts 22:16). God sent a flood to cover the earth to cleanse “the wickedness of the human race” (Genesis 6:5). God’s power was displayed for the people of Israel to be rescued and protected through the parting of the Red Sea so the Israelites could walk to the other side on dry ground. After His people were safely on the other side of the Red Sea, God returned the waters to their normal state, causing the Egyptian Army to be covered and drown (Exodus 14:21-29).

There is another side of water though and it’s dangerous. A few examples in Scripture about this include but are not limited to: The dangers of the roaring seas in the storm when Jonah disobeyed God (Jonah 1:4). Paul was shipwrecked on one of his missionary journeys (Acts 27). Peter reaching out for Christ walking on water, then sinking as his faith doubted (Matthew 14:29-31).

There are numerous symbolic meanings for water throughout the Bible and in our modern-day life: We will make our way through deep waters with waves crashing over us. There will be no reprieve from the waterfalls that overwhelm us. This can be in the form of financial challenges, illness, relationship struggles, and more. We need to be able to find our footing while in deep waters. We need a strong anchor to steady us as we ride the waves that threaten to take us under.

These are the anchors that sustained me in deep waters and can do the same for you:

Anchor #1: God’s Love. He cares about every detail of your life: the suffering, the accusations, the overwhelm that you are experiencing while in those deep waters (Jeremiah 31:2-4).

Anchor #2: God’s Promises. He is a faithful God. Remind yourself of His faithfulness throughout all the days of your life and praise Him. Hope will rise within you (1 Corinthians 1:9).

Anchor #3: God’s comfort and kindness. He is near even in the waterfalls of pain and when the waves feel like they may carry you away. The tenderness and presence of God is like a cozy blanket enveloping you. He will hold your hand through the raging storm (Psalm 91:4).

Anchor #4: Focusing on God. Fix your eyes on Him. Let your thoughts and affections be consumed with your Lord. Let your actions demonstrate love for Him with all of who you are (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Anchor #5: God’s justice. God promises He will return to take us home to Heaven and bring an end to all the pain, tears, and suffering. We can wait expectantly (Philippians 3:20).

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

We praise You for being our powerful provider. We praise You for being our peace and comfort in the deep waters of life. We praise You for your kindness and promises that the waters will not consume us. We praise You for your justice to bring an end to the struggles we encounter. Your face, Lord, is what we seek. We fix our eyes on You to overcome doubts, despair, weakness, and weariness. You alone can fill us with hope, defiant joy, and praise. You alone are anchoring us through these deep waters. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Waterfall” by Chris Tomlin. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong UNITED. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “The Anchor Holds” by Ray Boltz. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “Don't Give Up On Me” by Brandon Lake. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Adriana Watt, founder of “Framing Your Health in Christ” supports Christian women who find themselves running on empty from pouring themselves out in caring for others struggling with mental and emotional exhaustion and chronic stress because they have forgotten to rest and prioritize their health. 

She helps them to live a guilt-free, nourishing, full, and sustainable life by helping them climb out of the trenches to see the bigger vision of their calling and God’s purpose for their lives.

Adriana is a gentle and encouraging author and speaker with a critical message for the current caregiver crisis. She is a living testimony of how it is possible to rest in Christ for your strength, healing, and to serve others well without sacrificing your health to feel fully alive again.

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Connect with Adriana:
Website: https://www.adrianawatt.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adriana_watt_wholehealth/
Email address: Care@adrianawatt.com