Mightier than the Roaring Sea!

"Mightier than the thunder of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!”

(Psalm 93:4 ESV)

From all the coverage surrounding the recent passing of HRH, The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, it was a statement by the former Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, which stayed with me. Dr Sentamu shared how, following the difficult year for the Royal Family that was 1992, he had enquired of the late Prince how he was feeling. Prince Philip responded with these moving words from Psalm 93 (ESV): “mightier than the thunder of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty”.

When troubles pound likes waves, we will do well also to deploy this verse. It met me where I was, and of all the verses that I had been using to conquer an anxiety, it was this verse that broke through like a rapier and calmed my soul.

You see, unlike verses that encourage our confidence and remind us that we are more than able in Christ, Psalm 93:4 is a verse that acknowledges our tumult and sits with us there.

Through the power of the raging sea, God is saying to us that yes, you may feel weak, yes, the thunder is mighty and the waves are crashing, but I am mightier still. I am sufficient for you.

Maybe the seas are roaring, or maybe you know not why you are troubled. Be encouraged. King David fortified himself in the Lord at moments such as these, crying out: “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God” (Psalm 42:5 TNIV).

Whatever may be disturbing your soul, whatever the mountains you face, like the late Prince Philip, call to mind these powerful words from Psalm 93 and let the tempestuous waves within be stilled.

See also: 2 Corinthians 12:2

Copyright © Sharmila Meadows 2021

Photo: personal collection

Scripture quotations are from The ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 2004 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, a division of Hodder Headline ltd. All rights reserved. “TNIV” is a registered trademark of International Bible Society.