Deep Calls to Deep
By Whitney Hopler
“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” – Psalm 42:7, NIV
There’s something deeply powerful about experiencing a waterfall. I hiked to several waterfalls recently in the “waterfall capital of the world” – the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada area, where more than 100 waterfalls flow down the long Niagara Escarpment on their way to the majestic Niagara Falls. Every single one of the waterfalls I experienced overwhelmed me with the power and beauty of its fast-moving water. As I watched the water flow, I thought of the powerful Creator who designed our planet so well. Water flows abundantly through nature, just as God’s love flows through our lives – with overwhelming power. Near the end of my trip, I stood beside Niagara Falls and let the incredible sound of its roar sweep over me. Then, I thanked God for that experience!
The Bible uses the imagery of powerful moving water – waterfalls, waves, and breakers – in Psalm 42:7 to describe the mighty power of God’s presence with us. These overwhelming forces symbolize God’s overwhelmingly strong love that envelops us when we notice God’s presence. The phrase “Deep calls to deep” at the beginning of this verse helps us visualize the deep connection between us and God. The depth of God’s presence is so strong that it reaches the depth of our souls.
Imagine standing beside a roaring waterfall. The sight is mesmerizing. The sound is deafening. We feel the incredible power of the water as it cascades down relentlessly. That’s how God’s love operates in our lives. It’s a wild force that can’t be tamed. God’s loving presence sweeps over us with power, washing away our fears, our doubts, and our sin.
God's love is like living water. Just as water is vital for our physical health, God’s love is essential for our spiritual health. God’s living water is the constant, refreshing presence of God we need to survive and thrive. The pressures and demands of our lives can sometimes feel like relentless waves crashing over us, threatening to pull us under. During hard times, it’s easy to feel helpless and alone – as if we’re drowning in a sea of troubles. But the living water of God’s love is stronger than any challenges we face. God’s living water cleanses and revives us. Imagine the refreshing sensation of cool water on a hot day, washing away dirt and sweat, leaving us feeling renewed and invigorated. That’s what God’s love does for our souls. God’s love penetrates our defenses and reaches into the deepest parts of our being, where our deepest fears and desires live. It calls out to the depths within us that yearn for God – those hidden places where we carry our pain, our hopes, and our dreams. God’s love speaks to those depths, reassuring us that we aren’t alone and that we’re deeply valued. It gives us the strength to face our challenges – not by removing them, but by transforming us from within, giving us the strength we need to persevere.
God’s love is a constant, powerful presence, just like the steady flow of a mighty waterfall. It doesn’t ebb and flow with the changing tides of our circumstances but remains reliable and trustworthy. As we surrender to God’s love, we aren’t overcome by the waves. Instead, we’re lifted above them by awe as we experience God’s wonder. That awe helps us transcend our circumstances by directing our attention to God. We’re cleansed of our burdens and fears, and we’re revived with purpose and peace. This deep love calls us to a deeper relationship with God, where we allow God’s love to flow through every aspect of our lives. Whenever we enjoy waterfalls and waves in God’s creation, let’s remember that God’s deep loving presence calls out to the depths of our souls, inviting us into powerful relationships with our Creator.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider how God’s deep and powerful love washes over you, reflect on these questions:
- In what ways have you experienced God's love as a powerful, overwhelming force in your life?
- How does the imagery of waterfalls, waves, and breakers help you understand the depth and strength of God’s love?
- What areas of your life feel dry or barren, and how can you invite God’s living water to refresh those places?
- What new habit can you develop to help you allow more of God’s love to flow through your life?
- What steps can you take to trust God’s love more fully, especially in challenging situations?
Further Reading:
John 4:14
Isaiah 43:2
Psalm 46:4
Revelation 22:1
Ezekiel 47:9
Photo Credit: ©Matt Hardy/Unsplash
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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