Written by Iris Niven.
August arrives with a confection of delights. Schools are out for the summer break, the chaps in white play cricket on the green and punts float gently down the Cam. There are village feasts and fairs, ripe strawberries and cream, ice cold drinks under the shade of a tree. Overhead, the skylarks wing upwards in song, glorious sunsets paints the evening skies and the heady fragrance of roses in full bloom graces the senses. It is a brief interlude of peace and normality in a troubled world.
Before the era of package holidays, August was the time when three generations of families would pack up and join the exodus to favourite seaside venues. Reunited with friends they could reminisce on childhood memories of picnics on the beach, building sand castles and collecting shells or exploring rock pools stocked with marine treasures. Lapping waves invited everyone to venture into its cool vibrancy, but to be alert always to its shifting power.
When the Children of Israel encountered the Red Sea, it was with a sense of fear and a strong test of faith in God. Behind them, the chariots of Egypt were in hot pursuit and the prospect of a return to the captivity from which they had escaped must have burned in hearts and minds. They had to exercise total trust in the protection and provision of God who was their only hope of salvation. Against all the odds, Moses followed divine instructions, raised his staff over the depth of water and watched in wonderment as the waves rolled back to form towering walls of water on both sides of a pathway of dry land.
Would they take the route to safety? Would they step beyond the shores and totally trust in the mercy of God to deliver them safely to a place of freedom and prosperity? How did they comprehend the miracle that had been worked on their behalf and how could they adequately compose a song of thanksgiving? Exodus ch.15.
In our own times and circumstances, we too may come upon seemingly insurmountable problems and failing resources. But God’s pathways are trustworthy and devised on his wise counsel and foreknowledge. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalm 32 v 8. “The Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him”. Psalm 32 v 10.
“There is never a life so darkened,
So hopeless and unblest,
But may be filled with the light of God
And enter His promised rest.” Anon.
There remains an important question. How far and how deep will our trust take us as we step out in faith and vision? “Faith gives substance to what we hope for and certainty of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11 v 1. Will we stay in the shallows, paddling along the shore, or will we go deeper where steps are shaky perhaps but strengthening in confidence? Then will we have the spiritual courage to plunge into the swirling foam and give ourselves to the ebb and flow, feeling the exhilaration of swimming in an ocean of possibilities, miracles, and revelations?
As the hymn of assurance says;
“Have faith in God my heart
Trust and be unafraid
God will fulfil in every part
Each promise He has made.”
Enjoy the sunshine!