Lent Devotion: Grace Abounds in Deepest Waters

While it’s not specifically a “Lent” song, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” by Hillsong United is a favorite of mine during this season, especially this second verse:

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed, and You won’t start now (CCLI License # 334744)

I’m not quite sure how many times I heard this song before the first line of that verse actually sunk in a bit.  At first, it doesn’t really make sense.  How could something good happen out of the worst. But the more I thought about it the more I realized how true it is.  In the darkest deepest moments of life, God’s grace shines through the brightest.  In the deepest waters where I struggle the most, is also where I need saving the most.

Paul talked about this a lot in the book of Romans.  Here’s one example from chapter 5:

“… But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Really, that’s what Lent, especially Holy Week, and Easter are all about.  The grace and beauty of Easter shine even brighter in the contrast of the darkness of Lent.  And even from a logical sense, the rescue is pointless if we’re not in need.  We can’t have the resurrection if there isn’t first death.

When we get face to face with the cross of Jesus, we see deep, deep suffering, but only through His death do we find new life.  Paul continues on this theme in Romans 6:1-4:

“What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! … all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?  We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from death through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

May the oceans of Christ’s love flood you today as you fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the JOY set before him, endured the cross. (Hebrews 12:2).  Whatever deep waters you may be in today, remember: they are no match for our Savior!

Grace truly does abound in the deepest waters.   Rest in that grace today!

Jesus, when I’m in the deepest waters is when I often remember my great need for you. Thank you for saving me through the deep, beautiful waters of baptism.  Let your grace abound in my life so it flows out to the lives of people around me this Lent season. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Published March 5, 2015

About the author

Rebekah Freed is Kansas-grown girl who now lives in cornfields of Nebraska (with a 9-year stop in Buffalo, NY). She currently serves the students of Concordia University, Nebraska as the Director in the Student Life Office and loves helping youth and young adults know how much Jesus loves them. (Hint: It’s a lot!) She is a Director of Christian Education (DCE) and has a master's degree in Discipleship in the context of Trauma and Crisis Response. She enjoys kayaking, conversations about things that matter, fresh-baked cookies, the sound of little kids giggling, sunshine, traveling, a fuzzy blanket on a cold winter day, hugs from her nieces, hiking, peanut butter chip ice cream, and celebrating the everyday blessings in life …often with confetti! She occasionally writes about ministry and life at joyfullblessedblog.com.
View more from Rebekah

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