I've been reading through the Psalms lately. It's the Bible's version of comfort food. It's like biscuits and gravy with a chai from Broadway cafe. At any rate, I've noticed there is an occasional description of God and water that thunders.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic. (Ps 29:3-4)
The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.
Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the seas
the LORD on high is mighty. (Ps 93:3-4)
Many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away.
If one were to give
all the wealth of his house for love,
it would be utterly scorned. (SOS 8:7)
I realize not a Psalm, but amazing...
A few years ago my friend Erin and I went on a road trip to Toronto. One of the best trips I've ever taken. On the way up to Toronto we decided to spend a night on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls (which if I can put in my two cents is a much more fulfilling experience then the American side - but maybe it was the Mounties). I'm so glad we decided to stay there. It was so amazing.
I was in charge of the accommodations for the trip and I randomly picked some hotel where we got a sweet deal (we went in late October). When we arrived we discovered we had a pretty nice hotel (pictured above), and they upgraded our hotel room, I think because Erin looked cute in her matching mittens and scarf. I believe the room number was 1701, we swore we would remember so we could come back. There was a fire place in the room, and the entire north wall of the hotel room was plate glass, floor to ceiling. We got in and just smiled smugly and then I asked her quizzically "what is that noise?" She looked at me and tilted her head, and said "wow that's loud." We both turned to look at the giant window; it was the roar of water. For the next twenty minutes we just stared out that window.
We went out that night and got a closer look (they light the falls at night). It was the single most awesome natural thing I have ever seen. That night we went to sleep on the best bed of slept on to this day, we fell asleep to this roar. I'll admit a tear slid down my face thinking about how big God was.
I am nothing in comparision to him. Psalm 8:4 poses a similar idea "What is man that you are mindful of him?" I think a lot of people ask this when they see this amazing sight. Maybe not quite like David did, but I'm sure they wonder what this life is really all about. Why are they breathing air? Why are they doing so many crazy and busy things when there are things like this all over the earth? It all most makes our everyday lives seem insignificant. But just beyond all those questions, just beyond those thoughts is the truth... we are beloved of God. Niagara Falls is saying "Look how big I am, God is bigger, and he loves you and and is in violent pursuit of you."
We woke up the next morning and Erin pointed out some of the above verses as we bundled up to go take pictures. I nodded and imagined the day I would hear the roar of Lion of Judah.
His love cannot be quenched by many waters; his love is a fire so big that Niagara has nothing on it. What would my life look like if I understood this reality? How would I live differently if I could better understand the scope of this love? Lately I've been sitting in the prayer room just meditating on his feelings towards me, I feel myself softening. I also find myself feeling the heart of God for other people. This is the most peculiar thing, it has happened at the strangest moments and I have felt this burden about seemingly random people.
Makes me wonder if God shows his love to us in waves, it washes over the hearts of his people in these unexpected moments. These waves never end, day after day, before the world began and long after the cries of the martyers is satisfied, these waves will flow over us. Maybe in the Millenial Kingdom I can get Jesus to meet me at Niagara falls and we can just stare into that huge cave of water and marvel at the Father's love.
Set me as a seal on your heart God, for love is as strong as death, it's flames of fire so big that many waters cannot quench it.
