Update: 29 April 2025
Trusting God when
You're Drowning
Psalms 69, 66
Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
Psalm 69:1-2 NKJV
When Life feels like Drowning
Life sometimes feels like drowning. Everything is too much, we can't find solutions to our problems; despair and hopelessness are creeping upon us. How are we to respond to such overwhelming circumstances? David found himself in such situations and wrote about it in the psalms.
Psalm 69 opens with words of desperation. David cried out to God to save him (v 1). Many circumstances in David's life required salvation. Be it the persecution by king Saul, the betrayal by his trusted friends or the rebellion by his beloved son. David needed God's help and he asked for it. The situations David described poetically as drowning in deep waters or walking in deep mire with no firm standing (v 2), of which he became wearing in his crying before God (v 3), were circumstances in which he was hated without a cause, in which mighty enemies who would harm him and wrongfully rose up against him, and corrupt situations without justice (v 4). David's prayer was to God and he trusted Him to hear him at the right time (v 13). God would deliver him from the mire and deep waters, that is, from those who hated him and sought him harm (v 14). These circumstances, like floodwaters, would not drown him (v 15). Life felt like drowning, but David trusted God that he wouldn't. Figuratively speaking, the waters that seek to drown us (overwhelming circumstances) can be the very waters that teach us to swim (handling the challenges and learning to overcome them). David turned to God and His lovingkindness and tender mercies (v 16) and asked the Almighty not to turn His face away from him; he needed deliverance and it was urgent (v 17). David combined both the sense of urgency with a patient trust in God's timing. He needed only God to be near to him; God would deliver him from his enemies (v 18). He would set things right in His justice (vv 22-28).
David was honest about his own weaknesses, and even sins (v 5). He would also plead on behalf of others (v 6). He would share his pain before God, even the abandonment and isolation he had to endure (vv 7-8). He had been zealous for God's house yet suffered reproach because of it (v 9). John applied these very words to Jesus when the disciples saw His zeal for God's house (John 2:13-17). He would reap reproach by a misguided religious elite (v 18) and ultimately pay the highest price for His zeal (vv 19-22). He carried our reproach and demonstrated true strength; this serves as an example to us (Romans 15:1-5). Christ endured the shame and was exalted to receive the Name above all names (Philippians 2:6-11; Hebrew 12:1-3). Doing the right thing can bring reproach on us, but it is still the right to do. God will vindicate us.
Even in repentance and fasting, David was mocked by others (Psalm 69:10-12). God knew the reproach, shame and dishonour (v 19) brought upon him, although he was trying to do the right thing. Reproach had broken his heart and heaviness was his portion; no one would comfort him (v 20). These are very painful situations. It is bad enough to suffer, but not having anyone to support us, makes it even worse! Yet David remained steadfast in prayer (vv 13ff). Although poor and sorrowful, he hoped in God's salvation (v 29) and would praise and exalt God's name (v 30). He would seek God and live (v 32), knowing that God hears the humble and does not despise anyone (v 33). God would restore what was lost and bring blessings on those who love His name (vv 35-36). Not only the heavens and the earth should praise God, even the seas, which threatened to drown him, should (v 34). The circumstances that seek to drown us, can turn into praise and testimony of what God can do for His people and servants. Every test can turn into a testimony!
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire,
you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:2-3a
The Promise in the Storm
There is a promise in the storm! When life is overwhelming and it seems we are drowning, there is a God who promises to be with us and get us through it. He is our God and Saviour (Isaiah 43:2-3). He won't fail us. We are precious in His sight and He loves us (v 4). No one can reverse the work of His hand (v 13). He makes 'a path through the mighty waters' (v 16), causes something new to spring up, something good that will make us forget the painful past (vv 18-19). God will even make a road where it is, naturally, impossible to make a road, and provisions where it is, naturally, unlikely to find them (vv 19-20). We have a supernatural God who His not limited by the natural things. God's people will praise Him for His miraculous help and deliverance (v 21). There is a promise in the storm. We must hold on to it. He is the God who can calm the storms of life (Psalm 89:9; 107:29; cf., Matthew 8:23-27; 14:22-33) and fulfil His promises to us.
Life can be tough, painful and unfair. God's people had been oppressed and badly treated during their enslavement in Egypt, yet God 'turned the sea into dry land' and God's people 'went through the river on foot' (Psapm 66:6). God is powerful and 'rules by His power forever' (v 7). His name is to be praised and His awesome deeds are to be celebrated (vv 1-5). He can save His people no matter where they find themselves. The Pharaoh and all his wealth and power was no match for the God of Israel. Although His people suffered hardship, God showed Himself strong on their behalf. There were times when men rode over their heads and they were afflicted (vv 11-12a); and they even had to go through the fire. Yet God brought them into the Promised Land of rich fulfilment (v 12b). God is faithful to His promise and powerful to fulfil it.
The psalmist confessed God's goodness and would offer sacrifices to God and keep his vows to Him (vv 13-15). He gave to God what he had promised when he was in trouble. So should we. Not keeping a vow is a grave sin before God; it is better not to make a vow than not to keep it (see Ecclesiastes 5:2-5). We cannot keep iniquity in our hearts and expect God to hear our prayers (Psalm 66:18). As we remain genuine before God and pray from a pure heart, we can have confidence that He hears us (v 19). He will not turn us away (v 20). The key is to pray according to God's will (1 John 5:13-14). May His will be done in our lives (Matthew 6:9-10), even if what is ahead of us is challenging (26:36-46). There is a promise in the storm. Jesus gave His life for us and was given the Name above all names (Philippians 2:5-11). Through His sacrifice we can be blessed beyond measure (Romans 8:32). No matter what we might have to face, God remains faithful and will get us through it (vv 33-37), because His love won't fail us (vv 38-39). Like Daniel's friends, God didn't save them from the fire; He saved them in the fire (Daniel 3). The Gentile king mockingly asked, what god is able to deliver you? (v 15). Their answer: our God is able to deliver! (v 17). When people mock or challenge us, turn to God, trust Him and see His salvation. There is a promise in the storm, a promised based in His eternal love for us!