Sinking in the Deep 

It was a hot sunny day, and the lake water was a welcome retreat from the heat. Laughing and splashing about, my brother and I enjoyed swimming in the lake with two of our friends, Susan and Angel. With no care in the world, we were happy to have a place to play and enjoy the afternoon. Then, as quickly as the fun had started, it suddenly ended. We watched as Angel stepped into the water, right where there was a drop-off, and quickly disappeared. My brother dove below the surface of the water and saw her sinking to the bottom. He grabbed her by the hair, pulled her to the surface and brought her to the shore. She was alive. She was ok. Not long after, my brother received an award for his bravery and heroism. He was a boy, only ten years old, and he was a hero.

 So often in life, we hear stories of such rescues, and we cannot help but be in awe of how God shows up in those situations. He brings the right people at the right time. Sometimes you hear the heroes say: “I wasn’t even planning to be there that day, but I changed my mind and decided to go.” It makes me realize just how much our lives are in God’s hands. God is involved in every part of our lives and the lives of those we love. Knowing this truth is the reason we can trust in Him. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” We can trust that no matter what path we choose, we have a very loving God who will help establish our steps, even when we get off track or are sinking into the deep.

 So, when you are sinking into the deep and need help, but there is no one around to help you, who is your hero? Who do you rely on to come to the rescue? We can fight with all our might to do things in our own strength, but we keep sinking. We need to be rescued, and we need a saviour.

Psalm 40:1-2 (NIV) is a Psalm of praise to God, the Psalmist’s help and deliverer. It says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”  In verse one, we see the Psalmist reflecting on previous situations when he called on God for help, and God heard his cry. In the second verse, we see God comes to the rescue and delivers the Psalmist out of his situation. Not only does God deliver him, but he also gives him solid assurance and a firm, safe place to stand. Where can we find this solid assurance and a firm place to stand so we can be rescued? Our solid assurance, our rock and our redeemer is Jesus.

Father, I thank you for the assurance that when I cry out to you for help, you hear me. God, you are my mighty fortress and deliverer; you are my strong tower. Teach me to stand strong in you. When the storms of life come, and I am sinking in the deep, help me to look up, take hold of your hand and surrender to you so you can lovingly rescue me. Thank you that you never leave me and are always involved in every part of my life and the lives of those I love. Thank you for being the hero of my story and for rescuing me from my sin. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen

Your Turn: When you are sinking into the deep and need help, but there is no one around to help you, who is your hero? Who do you rely on to come to the rescue? Thank you for sharing your responses in the comments box below.