Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Psalm 69:1-3 NIV
There are days in our life when even putting one foot in front of the other seems too hard. Days when we feel overwhelmed by the challenges life throws at us, when even the well-meaning request of a friend can feel like too much; like the straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back. What do we do when we are struggling in these moments of darkness? When our lives seem paralyzed by regrets about the past and anxieties about the future?
The scripture above was written by King David in a moment of brutal honesty and is a prayer to which many of us can relate. David bares his soul to God, refusing to hide the emotions, turmoil, despair and anger that he is feeling at his present circumstances. He even acknowledges that the bleakness of his situation is affecting his relationship with God. In his darkest moment, he cannot see God, he cannot see his Savior, but rather than hide this from God, he confesses it to him. As the psalm continues, David finds solace in who he knows God to be—a God of great love, of great mercy, and who answers with a sure salvation (Psalm 69:13,16).
It is worth remembering in these moments that in Jesus Christ, we have a great high priest who knows what it is like to go through dark times. Jesus’ anxiety about his crucifixion was so great that it caused him to sweat “like drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). On the cross, the Bible records Jesus’ feelings of separation from God (Mark 15:34). Yet God did not forsake Jesus, and he will not forsake us. In Christ, there is always hope beyond our despair, and like David we must cast ourselves upon God’s great love, great mercy and sure salvation.
Our Father in heaven, in our moments of darkness, your light can seem so far away. Do not abandon us to our sin, to our pain and to our suffering, but let us feel your presence, your love and your comfort. And let us never forget the sure salvation we have through your Son, Jesus Christ. In his name, Amen.
By Gavin Henderson,
Operations Manager of the National Ministry Team
UK and Ireland
Thank you, Gavin. I think that at times it is in those dark moments in our lives that the Lord can mold and shape us most powerfully. He becomes greater as we in our struggles become smaller. So often God has given our family hope in the face of many trials, situations where there seemed „no way out“. Much in our world seems so uncertain, but the Lord is steadfast and His love beyond measure. In Him we trust!
Thanks Gavin for this uplifting reminder that through all this darkness on earth we see, we are not alone, that Jesus Christ has experienced it also. He has promised that He will not allow more than we can bear & provide a way of escape. 1 Cor 10:13 As we go thru this present evil world it gives us more than it takes, for it forces us to turn to the Light of Jesus who is our New Life our Salvation!
Nothing can cut us off from God, so in the darkest times, he can hear us and deliver us. Put your trust in God and not your circumstances.
God Bless,
Trevor Coverdale