“Deep Calls to Deep”

Several years ago we took a family trip to the beach.  I remember standing in the cold sand, ankles deep in the water, and just staring out into the vastness of the waters. It was mesmerizing and awesome.  There’s something about deep waters that stirs the soul.  They are mysterious, powerful, and seemingly endless—just like our relationship with God.

The psalmist wrote, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls” (Psalm 42:7). The word deep in this verse refers to something vast, limitless, and profound. The psalmist, feeling overwhelmed by life’s struggles, acknowledges that his soul is crying out for something beyond the surface—something only God can provide. It reflects a longing for a connection with the Creator that goes beyond routine faith and into true intimacy. This verse speaks of the profound connection between our innermost being and the depths of God’s presence. It is an invitation.  Are we willing to let the deep places within us respond to the depths of who He is?

Scripture Readings

• Psalm 42:7 – “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”

• 1 Corinthians 2:10 – “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

• Ephesians 3:18-19 – “…that you may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Reflection

Our walk with God isn’t meant to remain in the shallows. Many live with a surface-level faith—believing, yet never truly diving in. But God is always calling us deeper, into a place where our spirit longs for something beyond what this world can offer.

When the psalmist said, “Deep calls to deep,” he was describing the overwhelming nature of God’s presence. Just as ocean depths are moved by unseen forces, our souls are stirred by the voice of God echoing within us. This is not about desperation or spiritual dryness—it’s about longing, about being drawn into the vastness of God’s nature, where our deepest questions, desires, and yearnings find their answer in Him.

God love for us is unfathomable. His plans stretch beyond our comprehension. If we truly desire intimacy with Him, we must be willing to move beyond what is comfortable and allow our souls to be immersed in the depths of His presence.

Application 

1. Seek Him Beyond the Surface – Ask yourself: Do I only seek God in moments of need, or am I pursuing Him daily? Set aside intentional time for deep communion.

2. Embrace the Mystery – Not everything about God is meant to be understood immediately. Trust that His ways are higher and invite Him to reveal more in His time (Isaiah 55:8-9).

3. Let the Spirit Lead You – The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). Ask Him to guide you beyond intellectual knowledge into true revelation.

4. Engage in Deep Prayer and Worship – Move beyond quick prayers and surface-level worship. Linger in His presence, allowing your spirit to truly connect with Him.

5. Be Willing to Be Transformed – The deeper you go, the more God will shape you. Let go of old ways of thinking and step into greater depths of faith and surrender.

Closing Prayer

Father, You are deeper than the ocean, greater than my understanding, and more vast than anything I can imagine. Let the deep places in me respond to the depths of who You are. Draw me beyond the surface into a deeper knowledge of You. Help me to embrace the mystery, trust Your leading, and allow my soul to be fully immersed in Your presence. I want to know You, not just in part, but in fullness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.