“Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.” - Psalm 69:1-2
Several years ago, I was baptizing a lady on a Sunday afternoon. At the time, our church did not have an indoor baptistry, so I was baptizing her in a creek. While I was wading out in the river, I realized that I was going in too deep. The river was notorious for its undercurrent, so my heart began to race. I didn't go any deeper. Everything turned out fine. The lady was baptized and everyone rejoiced.
In life, sometimes it may feel like we've waded in too deep. At other times, a flash flood of adversity seizes us unannounced. In a flash, we feel overwhelmed. The temptation is to panic. Deep, rushing waters can sweep a person away.
When we feel like we've waded into deep waters, it is good to know that others have gone through similar experiences. Sometimes the only way to reach a desired destination is to go through deep waters. We are never promised that life will be spent only in the shallow waters. Most fishermen will tell you that fish are caught in the deep waters rather than the shallow. Shallow waters seem safer, but it is difficult to do much in shallow waters.
Jesus once told Peter, “Launch out into the deep.” Peter could have kept his boat in the shallow waters, but he was specifically called to go into the deep waters. It was there in the deep waters the nets broke because of the abundance of fish that was caught. There in the deep waters, Peter had a life-changing experience of grace. Deep waters may be scary, but the Lord may do His greatest work while you abide there.
The psalmist felt like he was drowning in deep waters. He prayed, “Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.” Perhaps you feel that way yourself right now. Here are three things to comfort you in your current situation.
First of all, the Lord knows your situation. He sees you and your circumstances. He is aware of the stress and challenges you are going through.
Secondly, the Lord is with you in the deep waters. The Lord is there with you. You are not going through deep waters alone. We need to realize that God is present with us during our tough days as well as the good days. Whether we stand on river bank, wade shallow waters or navigate the deep waters, the Lord is there with us. When Peter began walking on the water, the Lord was there. When Peter began to sink, the Lord was there for him as well and brought him out safely.
Finally, the Lord helps you while you're in deep waters. The only reason that that raging waters have not swept you away is because the Lord has provided the grace you need for the overwhelming situation you are in. The One who causes storms and winds to cease at His command can certainly lead you through the deep waters. Trust Him in your crisis. Lean on Him during this time of adversity. The waters may seem too deep for you, but they aren't too deep for Him. Israel once faced the deep waters of the Red Sea, but God made a way for them. He will provide a way for you, too.
We aren't promised a life free of deep waters. Some rarely visit deep waters while others seem to live there. In either case, Jesus is Lord of all. Live in obedience. Trust Him. Look to Him for support.
One day, we'll cross the river of death. No river gets any deeper than that final river. Yet our Lord will lead us through this river. When we cross to the other side, we'll find that there will be no deep rivers to cross in heaven. The river of life will be in glory, but it will not be a dangerous river that threatens to sweep us away.
We will not wade in deep waters there.
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