THIS FAR AND NO FURTHER
Job tells us that God sets the boundaries for the oceans (Job 38:10-11; Proverb 8:29; Psalm 104:9; Jeremiah 5:22). I’ve been thinking about that verse as I’ve been sitting right by the ocean edge of high tide all day, watching the waves come in and go out. We come to the beach early and stay late, and we know how high the tide will go because we’ve been here before. It’s always the same. There’s almost something magical about those few feet where the ocean meets the sand as the waves ebb and flow. People walk up and down it, children play in it and thousands of people sit and watch it come and go.
There’s something about the ocean that shows the greatness of God’s power (Job It is powerful and large, yet peaceful and soothing. Sure, sometimes storms cause it to overflow its boarders and cause flooding and destruction, but then it always retreats to where it was before the storm. God set the boundaries and the oceans of the world stay in them (Job 38:10-11; Proverb 8:29; Psalm 104:9; Jeremiah 5:22).
There are many forces that seek to attack and destroy us today. If it weren’t for God reining them in and putting limits on them we would be destroyed. Our sinful nature, Satan and demons, the opposition and hatred of the world – any and all would overflow their boundaries and overwhelm us if God didn’t set limits for them (1 Corinthians 10:13). They also ebb and flow, like the tide. Sometimes it seems they overflow their banks and will destroy us, but we survive and before long they are back to where they have always been.
Watching the ocean reminds me of God’s great power, which He keeps under control. Even the oceans obey Him and His limits. So must our enemies of the world, the flesh and Satan. Trust Him. EVERYTHING is under His control and obeys His Word. Everything in nature that is. His desire for us it to obey Him like the rest of His creation does. Do you?
Job 38:10-11 And I placed boundaries on it And set a bolt and doors, And I said, ‘Thus far you shall come, but no farther; And here shall your proud waves stop’?
Proverbs 8:29 When He set for the sea its boundary So that the water would not transgress His command, When He marked out the foundations of the earth;
Psalm 104:9 You set a boundary that they may not pass over, So that they will not return to cover the earth.
Jeremiah 5:22 ‘Do you not fear Me?’ declares the LORD ‘Do you not tremble in My presence? For I have placed the sand as a boundary for the sea, An eternal decree, so it cannot cross over it. Though the waves toss, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot cross over it.
Take some time and think of all that God has protected you from and all He has delivered you from. Thank Him for these. Reaffirm your trust in Him for future trials as well.
by Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer, Christian Training Organization