God is Matchless; Psalms for Moms #1

A few years ago, I tagged along on a work-trip to Vancouver with my husband. We had our third child with us because she was only a year old. Ryan suggested I take the baby and go check out the Capilano Suspension Bridge. "Sure," I said, "that sounds like fun."

It wasn't fun.

Although I did join others on a tour bus, I didn't know anyone else and I had to wear Nora so I didn't accidentally drop her. My balance was a little off because I was pregnant. It was raining pretty hard and truth be told, I'm not crazy about heights.

Each step felt like it could be my last. After I made it safely to the other side of this bridge which is roughly the length of 1.5 football fields, it occurred to me that I had to come back. I knew the bridge was safe. They wouldn’t keep it open if it wasn’t, but I didn’t have faith in the bridge itself.

If I’m honest, that’s often the way I feel about God. It’s not something I publicize, but the way I behave often shows a lack of faith in God. I worry. I stew. I have sleepless nights thinking about things that God is already taking care of. And instead of being able to see the beauty all around me like from that bridge, all I can think of is, what if I fall?

There are hundreds of verses in the Bible about the greatness of God. In fact, that’s the thesis of the Bible. God is great. Period. But I chose this passage, because it’s specific. God's greatness is unmatched in very specific ways:

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the skies.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,

your justice like the great deep.

You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;

you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.”

-Psalm 36:5-9

His love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice can’t be measured. Our very existence is a gift from Him. He’s a protector, provider, life-giver, and the light.

You know what I thought when I read this? I put faith in a lot of stuff: systems, schools, government, people, bridges, and none of them have this track record or make these claims. And when something scary happens, I choose to worry and scheme instead of casting it off to the one whose love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice can’t be measured. That's madness.

I lived to tell the story of the bridge. However, I did question whether my husband knew me at all. And there are times when trusting in God feels like walking on a huge suspension bridge. It’s raining. You’re carrying a heavy load. You feel alone and the other side seems too far to reach. But His promises are true and we can trust Him. He’s the only thing we can trust implicitly.

If you’re in a place where you feel like you’re stuck on a bridge in the middle of a river, allow this Psalm to remind you of who God is and that all he asks is that you keep walking. Look up as far as you can see and know that His love, faithfulness, and righteousness are much, much higher. Look down and know his justice goes way beyond the water below. You are in His unmatched hands.

So, keep walking.

Blessings,

Shannon