No Hole Too Deep

Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there' if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. Psalm 139?7-10 (NRSV)

See, the Lord's hand is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. Isaiah 59:1 (NRSV)

One day while H. Michael Brewer. from Kentucky, visited a construction site with his father, his puppy wandered away. H. Michael heard him wailing and discovered he had fallen into a hole. He tried to retrieve him, but he was beyond his reach. His father promised, "It will be alright." He lay on the ground and thrust his arm into the hole. He strained, he stretched, he grunted, and finally his fingertips hooked his puppy's collar. Then he lifted his whimpering pet back into the light. H. Michael brushed his puppy clean and hugged his father. The memory remains vivid - musty soil, warm summer sun, and fear clenching his body.

That day, H. Michael believed his dad could do anything. The recollection of his earthly father's strength encouraged H. Michael to have greater trust in his heavenly Father. Even after decades of following Jesus, H. Michael sometimes thinks his heart embraces fear more readily than faith. But he reminds himself that he is neither lost nor alone. When he sees no way out, H. Michael remembers the strong arm and long reach of his Savior.

No disaster can put us beyond God's help. So when we are frightened in the dark, trapped by poor choices, over our heads in trouble, God's arm is long enough to reach us, and god's hand is strong enough to save us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for holding us in your hand and lifting us when we fall. Give us faith to trust you even when we are afraid, in Jesus' name. Amen.