Footprints in the Sand
Psalm 77:19 - “Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known,”
Psalm 77:19 is a beautiful passage that resonates with hope and faith. This psalm is attributed to Asaph, a gifted musician and prophet during the reigns of King David and King Solomon. Asaph was not only a skilled composer but also a man who deeply understood the human heart and its struggles.
From his personal experience, Asaph likely wrote this psalm from a place of personal struggle. He knew what it felt like to cry out to God in distress. His soul refused comfort, and he grappled with inner turmoil. We discern a collective memoryas portrayed when Asaph wanted to perpetuate the memory of God’s mighty acts for future generations.By recounting the Red Sea miracle, he encouraged others to trust in God’s unseen providence. There is hope even in the midst of darkness as illustrated by Asaph’s timeless message that even in our darkest moments, God’s ways are beyond our comprehension. When we feel overwhelmed, we can find hope by remembering His faithfulness.
The literary composition “Footprints in the Sand” is a popular modern allegorical Christian poem. It beautifully describes a person walking on a beach with God, leaving two sets of footprints in the sand. These tracks represent different stages of the person’s life. At times, the two pairs of footprints dwindle to one, especially during the lowest and most hopeless moments. When the interpreter or the singer questions God, believing that the Lord must have abandoned them during those difficult times, God provides a comforting explanation: “During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
On the third and fourth stanza of the poem, also turned into song, “Footprints in the Sand,” it reads:
This really troubled me,
So I asked the Lord about it;
"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the saddest and
Most troublesome times of my life,
There was only one set of footprints.
“I don't understand why, when I needed
You the most, You would leave me."
He whispered, "My precious child, I love you
And will never leave you,
Never, ever, during your trials and testings;
When you saw only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you!
In Psalm 77:19, Asaph reflects on the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, specifically the parting of the Red Sea. It’s a moment of awe and wonder—a divine intervention that defied natural laws. Asaph invites us to consider the unseen footprints of God, guiding His people through treacherous waters. The sea significantly serves as a barrier. We can vividly seethe Israelites standing at the edge of the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army closing in behind them; seeing the sea seemed insurmountable, because there is a barrier between life and death. Yet, God’s path works wonders and led the Israelites through the very obstacle that threatened their existence.
Asaph acknowledges that God’s footprints were not visible. There were no physical marks left behind, no tangible evidence of His presence. And yet, the sea parted, creating a dry path for the Israelites to cross safely. Asaph’s words remind us that faith often transcends what we can see or understand. Even when circumstances seem impossible, just like IBBC now is embarking on a major but much-needed project that will definitely put our faith to the test, God’s unseen hand is at work, orchestrating the unfolding of the fulfillment of His great promise.
In summary, Psalm 77:19 invites us to trust in the unseen, to walk confidently even when we can’t discern God’s footprints. Asaph’s poetic words echo through the ages, reminding us that our journey is guided by a loving and mysterious God. Verse 17 of the same chapter beautifully describes the imagery of God’s presence and guidance. It captures the power and majesty of God as seen in the thunderstorms and rain. God’s love and care surround us, leaving footprints of grace, mercy, unfailing love and provisions in our lives. God walks alongside us, even in the storms of life.
Our Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, as we walk the shores of life, we find ourselves leaving footprints in the sand. Sometimes the path is clear, and other times, it feels like we’re stumbling in the darkness. But in those moments, Lord, remind us that You are with us - guiding our steps even when we cannot see. Lord, thank you for being with us even when life’s storms rage and the sands shift beneath our feet, Your love remains unwavering. Teach us to seek You in both joy and sorrow, knowing that You walk beside us, lifting us when we falter.