There are times when we feel like we’re going under.
The heavy pressures at work, the burden of an illness, the crush of temptation and the weight of guilt—these things can overwhelm us, like we’re up to our neck and sinking.
If you’ve ever felt a flood of trouble, then you know a little of what David had been through. In Psalm 18 he thanks the LORD for rescuing him from all his enemies. Because David was king and wanted to be faithful to God, there were many people who opposed him. Time after time David had been in grave danger, harassed and threatened and close to death. The enemy pressed in on him, and he felt like he was drowning under the “the torrents of destruction” (v. 4).
But David is so grateful because the LORD is mighty to save: “He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters” (v. 16). To God all the raging seas of trouble are nothing, so he pulled his servant from the flood and put him on solid ground.
Now David sings the praises of God his faithful Saviour. And in this song we can join him, for the LORD still saves whoever calls on him: “Surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him” (Ps 32:6).
The reason we can always be confident of rescue is because God’s Word is sure in Christ. The Lord Jesus was oppressed by earthly enemies too, and was overwhelmed with the weight of suffering. Then when he went to the cross, the flood of trouble swept him into the very depths of hell, for he was drowned in guilt and the just punishment of the LORD. On that dark day Christ was without a deliverer, so that he could deliver sinners from our misery.
But Christ too, was vindicated by the LORD. After three days his Father drew him from the grave and restored his life. Now through faith in the risen Christ our deliverance is certain.
Troubles will still surge and swell, and at times they’ll probably overwhelm us. But in Christ we have our solid ground, for in him we are forgiven, renewed, and bound for glory.
When you call on God today, be sure that he will draw you out of many waters, and he will bring you to a safe place.