Good Moring.
Psalm 69 reminds me of a lesson every lifeguard is taught; people panic when they fear they are drowning. It is common that the person in danger will grab onto anything or anybody in an effort to save them self; sometimes causing both to perish. The reason Life-Rings have ropes attached is so they can be thrown to the person is trouble. This psalm begins, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck… I sink… there is no foothold … the deep waters… engulf me“. It is clear to see the writer is growing desperate and sees no help coming. “I am worn out calling for help… My eyes fail, looking for my God“. In this state of agitation, he lashes out, “many are my enemies… who seek to destroy me“. There are so many times when we can get knocked overboard. Financial waves, work worries, school pressure, relationship rocks, health news, all can capsize our life with little warning. It is interesting that he knows he is not reacting like a man that trusts God; “May those who hope in You not be disgraced because of me… may those who seek You not be put to shame because of me“. This burden gets even heavier for those in leadership positions. “I endure scorn for Your sake… the insults of those who insult You fall on me“. Do you know this sinking feeling? Are you up to your neck too? Please do not give up hope.
He does not offer a quick fix, but instead lets us see his frustration. “I pray to you, O Lord… answer me with Your sure salvation… Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink… Do not let the floodwaters engulf me… answer me quickly, for I am in trouble“. Too often I think we offer cliché answers from the shore when friends are looking for real help. “I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none“. Why are we surprised when people react with anger? “Pour out your wrath on them… Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in Your salvation… May they be blotted out of the book of life“. Have you been hurt by someone in pain? That is what drowning people do!
I believe we misguide people when we offer human solutions for spiritual problems. We need to redirect those that flounder back to the promises of God found in His Word. Sometimes our efforts can interfere with God’s lesson. The psalm ends with a very different tone. “I am in pain and distress; may Your salvation… protect me. I will praise God’s Name in song.” This man that has been rescued shouts, “you who seek God, may your hearts live! The Lord hears the needy“. He adds that God is faithful to get us to the ultimate destination, “For God will save… rebuild… the children of His servants will inherit it, and those who love His name will dwell there“. Consider this, the Bible tells us that Jesus was falsely accused, beaten, spit on, scourged, ridiculed, rejected by His friends, humiliated, stripped of His clothes, tortured and condemned to death and on the cross He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Our Savior has endured every form of pain, sorrow, loss and temptation known to man. According to Hebrews 4:15, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are yet was without sin“. The life line is not tied to me, but my Savior. “We preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1 Corinthians 1:23-25). Friend, Jesus saves.