In Deep

Think back over the past few months. What has brought you joy? Have you ever had what you would call a mountaintop experience? It might be faith-oriented, or it may be some other significant experience in your life (relationships, accomplishments, personal goal achieved).

You may know that David, in the Bible, is a very interesting character with memorable life stories! In Psalm 18:1-3, David is in a joyful, thankful frame of mind as he recalls God’s faithfulness to him in the midst of enemies wanting to harm him. In this passage he is referring to King Saul but other rescues by God include: from the giant Goliath (1 Samuel 17), a struggle with sin regarding Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 11 and 12), and even a conflict with his own son, Absalom (2 Samuel 13-17). He declares his appreciation to God with joy and thanksgiving:

1 I love you, Lord, my strength.
2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I have been saved from my enemies.  Psalm 18: 1-3

In verse 16 of the same chapter, in a somewhat darker tone, David refers to being rescued from water. There are several accounts of this happening to other people: The parting of the Red Sea as the Israelites exited Egypt (Exodus 14) Jonah in the belly of a big fish! (Jonah 1 and Matthew 12:40,41), Baptism (Mark 1), Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:22-31) and more! But here, there is a sense that David feels like life around him is overwhelming him and he is sinking fast.

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support.

The happy ending is that God is always faithful in all circumstances, no matter the outcome: “He brought me out into a spacious place; He rescued me because He delighted in me. Psalm 18:16-19

Can you think of a time, or times when, like verse 19, God brought you “into a spacious place” and delivered you from some kind of trouble or hardship?
Did you know that God delights in us? How can that be when we (and He) know we have issues, misbehavior, and sin? Does God keep a record of all of that? Psalm 130 addresses this:

Psalm 130
A song of ascents.
1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;
2  Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?
4 But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.
5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning. Psalm 130:1-6
We wait in hope, in assurance, and in joy!

Closing Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, we glory in Your Holy name! You reach down from on high, to guide and protect us. We may not think we have enemies but we daily face challenges, temptations, and disappointments. You guide and protect us through them all. We delight in You as You delight in us, Your beloved children. In Jesus’ name, Amen.