In our passage today, David, the man after God’s own heart, felt like he was caught in deep waters up to his neck. His feet were trying to locate a rock—a foothold—on the bottom of the stream, but he searched in vain and felt like he was sinking “in deep mire.”  He was physically exhausted from the struggle. His cries for help left his throat parched, and no one was responding. Where was God? David’s eyes searched the shoreline, but God was nowhere to be found…or so it seemed.

Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

How about you? Ever feel like you were going under? Engulfed by grief or loss? Covered over by the pain of a broken or strained relationship? Sinking under financial pressure and job uncertainty? Overwhelmed by illness? Swallowed up by fear? Overcome by expectations? Your search for a foothold is in vain. Your cries for help go unanswered. Shaken worlds are exhausting, aren’t they? And you can’t find God on the shore.

By the way, you will never find God on the shore because he is right there with you in the “deep waters” of your shaken world! He will never leave you or forsake you, but he may not immediately pull you out of the deep mire. In fact, he might have you there so you can learn to swim! Later in this same psalm, David says, “But I am afflicted and in pain; let your salvation, O God, set me on high! I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving. This will please the Lord more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive. For the Lord hears the needy and does not despise his own people who are prisoners” (Psalm 69:29-33).

Father, allow those in pain and distress to know your protection and salvation. Put a song of praise and thanksgiving in their hearts. Let those in the midst of shaken worlds hear from you. Provide the strength and comfort needed. Guide their feet to a solid foothold. In Jesus’ name. Amen.