Are you drowning?

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 49-52, Psalm 69, 1 Corinthians 14

  1. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

The fear of drowning is real.  I know the pressure I feel when I try to show my kids how long or far I can hold my breath underwater.  The feeling of not being able to gasp for breath.  Did you know that when you dream of drowning, it is usually related to having too many things going on?

Psalm 69 – The psalmist David provides a vivid picture of a person dealing with so many pressing issues at once that he feels as if he were drowning.  David was inspired to prophesy more details of Jesus’ agony at this separation from His Father.

Let’s take water away and think of our lifestyle.  Have you ever felt you were metaphorically drowning? I know I have.  Maybe it’s the start of a school year? A season of crazy with your kids’ schedules? A new job with all new expectations? Medical bills? Paperwork?  We have all been there at some time.

Even Jesus felt like He was drowning when living on Earth.  It seems impossible to even fathom what Jesus had to endure.  When facing all the attacks and drowning struggles, Jesus prayed to His Father.

But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.
14 Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.
15 Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up
or the pit close its mouth over me.

So many things vie for our attention in our complex world.  Take a moment to lift your head out of the water and pray to our Father.  He is loving and full of grace.  He knows everything we have done and will do and still calls us by name.  There are days when we can feel like we are drowning.  Turn to our Lord to be rescued.

God provides a space to breathe and live. God saves his people from drowning.

33 The Lord hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

Have a blessed day!