Sep
8
Sure Salvation
Filed Under Devotional
I love reading Scripture for the umpteenth time. I always find something new. I always see a new angle or get a new picture. Today, this psalm created a vivid image for me.
Imagine the beginning of a movie with ominous music. The camera does a slow fly-over of a vast body of water with no apparent shores. In the middle you see one little dot that doesn’t belong. It’s a person desperately trying to stay afloat. That’s the image that jumped into my head when I read this:
“Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.” Psalm 69:1-2
The viewer might first wonder if there are any rescuers nearby.
“I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail,
looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.” Psalm 69:3-4
Not only is nobody answering his cries for help, but he is outnumbered by his enemies and feels utterly helpless and alone. Now, the viewer wonders how this poor fellow got into this predicament.
“You know my folly, O God;
my guilt is not hidden from you.” Psalm 69:5
Ah, the viewer sees now. This is likely the consequences of actions taken by this very man earlier in his life. And, now, the realization sets in that this could be any of us. Not necessarily treading water in the ocean, but feeling utterly alone, running out of time, and surrounded by enemies. And, worse, it’s all because of consequences of our own sin.
The beauty of it is that God will hear this cry. God will answer. David knows it:
“But I pray to you, O Lord,
in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
answer me with your sure salvation.” Psalm 69:13
David is crying out desperately, but he is sure that God will save.
I imagine this movie takes the viewer on an adventure that explains how the man arrived in that situation and how he escapes. The climax of the story is when he is rescued from his predicament by his Savior. The epilogue describes his entry into Heaven.
I like this movie because I can identify with the main character. Also, I like happy endings.