God Will Hold You; Let Yourself Be Held

July 11, 2025 | Posted by : Donna Jones

I’m writing from the beach. Though the ocean is familiar to me now, I didn’t grow up close to the shore (my early childhood was spent in Tennessee) and I still remember my first impressions of the ocean when I was about five. From the accounts I heard from others who’d seen the sea, I expected to be wowed. But as my tiny feet stood on the soft white sand, just outside of the lapping waves, I looked out at the horizon and held my breath at the sound of the crashing, roaring waves. Yes, I was wowed. But I was also scared.

It was bigger than me.

Stronger than me.

More powerful than me.

I couldn’t see where it began or where it ended.

And while everyone around me sounded excited to dive in, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do the same.

It occurs to me now, as I write this with the vast Pacific stretching out before me, how similar my childhood impressions of the ocean are like an encounter with God.

It’s one thing to hear about God from others; a pastor, a parent, a neighbor, a friend. It’s another thing to stand barefoot in His presence and behold His breadth and depth and power while simultaneously becoming aware of the smallness of ours.

And yet…

On the day I first saw the ocean my dad picked me up in His strong arms and waded out into the water as I held tight to His chest. He waited until I was comfortable in the shallow before we ventured deeper. I still remember his smile and strong voice as the water buoyed us over the waves. “Ride the waves!” he’d repeat, over, and over, until I was saying it, too.

All these years later, whenever I’m in the ocean I still say it—sometimes just a whisper under by breath and sometimes out loud, just like he did. And I smile.

The comfort of my father’s arms gave me confidence to face the scary, unfamiliar thing and feel safe.

In Psalm 139 David echoes this sentiment:

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.

When I meditate on this passage two unlikely words bring comfort to my heart: even there.

If I’m up, God, you are there. If I’m down, you are there. If I’m far, you are there.

If I’m anywhere—physically, emotionally, spiritually—even there, God’s hand will guide me. Even there, God’s right hand will hold me tight.

Today you might be standing in front of your own “ocean,” something that makes you feel small and fragile and scared. You may even be in a place where you wonder if God is there. My friend, wherever you are, even there, God has you in His arms.

Even there God’s hand will guide you and hold you.

Let yourself be held.

Just as my father exclaimed, “ride the waves!” our Heavenly Father—your Father—is exclaiming over you, “my hand will guide you, my right hand will hold you fast.” Listen to His words, then say it with Him. Right now. Out loud, even if it’s just a whisper. Or write it down.

That’s what David did.

“Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.”

The ocean serves as a reminder of God’s greatness. And it reminds us of how fragile and small we are. But the same God who made the ocean picks us up, holds us close, leads and guides us as we ride the waves called life.

You are loved,

Donna

PS. If you found this devotion encouraging, forward it to a friend!

PSS. I’m in my speaking booking season and I’m getting inquiries nearly everyday. If your group is in need of a speaker, I’d love to speak at your retreat, conference, mom’s group, or event. To contact me, click here. 

For Further Study:

  1. Read Psalm 139. This beautiful Psalm is not primarily about us; it’s about God. Write down all the things God does for you. Look at your list and spend a moment thanking and praising Your Father for who He is and what He does.
  2. Read Romans 8 and do the same as above.

This Month on the Podcast:

If you haven’t listened to the “That’s Just What You Needed” podcast…girl, what are you waiting for?!  You can find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify Podcasts, Life Audio, or listen here on my website.

Here’s a sample of the encouraging, inspiring, and truly helpful conversations on the podcast recently:

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