Good evening. Rare bad headache tonight. Here's a lesson written by my friend.
DEEP WATERS
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters." Psalm 18:16
Deep
waters. We all know and have waded in them, not by our own choice,
oftentimes, but by circumstances beyond our control or by consequence
of our actions. Deep waters, the difficulties that bring fear and
confusion, often cause us to beg for the protection of God. Believers
are not promised a life free of difficulty. They are not exempt from
physical harm or death. NONE of Jesus’ followers will suffer spiritual
or eternal loss, however. On earth, everyone will die, but believers in
Jesus will be saved for eternal life."
David knew very well
what it was like to be in deep water. David’s enemies were strong and
they hated him. If it were not for the Lord’s protection, they would
have been too strong for him. (See Psalm 18:17).
Few
have experienced what it was like to have God’s protective arms
encamped around them like David. In his words, David describes his
"deep water" situations as he fled from Saul.
"The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me."
Psalm 18:4-5
What did David do in the deep waters?
Verse 6 says, "In my distress I called to the LORD, I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears."
And verses 28 and 29 demonstrate David’s faith in the Father who protects.
"You,
O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With
your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a
wall."
In the deep waters, David called out to God, for he knew that God alone could protect him. David had a history with God. He remembered that God had been his Rock, One who could not be removed by anyone seeking to harm him (like Goliath). He remembered God as his Fortress, able to provide a place of safety where the enemy couldn’t follow. He remembered God was his Shield, the One who came between him and harm. David recalled God as the Horn of Salvation, the symbol of might and power, and a Stronghold, One high above his enemies. (See Psalm 18:2) David had faith in the One who was able to protect him. (Psalm 18:28-29)
David
bursts forth in praise throughout Psalm 18, thanking God for His
protection in all circumstances. David wanted to shout thanks to God by
telling others of what God had done to protect him, deliver him, and
bring victory against the enemy. He had a story to tell! God had been
his support, his protection, his cover and refuge. David would
undoubtedly agree with Matthew Henry’s statement,
"God will
not only deliver his people out of their troubles in due time, but he
will sustain them and bear them up under their troubles in the mean
time."
Scripture gives us God’s promises of protection that
we can cling to as we cry out in distress in the deep waters of life.
Consider these verses:
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah" Psalm 32:7
"For
the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They
will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut
off…." Psalm 37:28
"The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them." Psalm 34:7
"Because
he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him,
for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer
him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation." Psalm
91:14-16
The Challenge:
Let’s ask ourselves a few questions. Read the corresponding scripture to remember what David did:
Are you in "deep waters?" (Psalm 18:4-5)
What are you doing as you struggle in those waters? (Psalm 18:6)
Are you trusting God by being focused on who He is? (Psalm 18:2)
Are you remembering past times of protection? (Psalm 18:18)
(Like David, each of us has a history with God). Can you think of a
time when God protected you from harm? Showed His perfect timing?
Prepared you for something ahead? Shielded you from sin? Taught you and
protected you from fleshly desires? Came to protect you against evil?
Provided a way of escape from temptation?
Are you looking for His reaching Hand that wants to pull you up? (Psalm 18:16)
Are you trusting in His ability to protect you? (Psalm 18:28:29)
Are you sharing your story of God’s protection with others? (Psalm 18 in its entirety)
Let’s
take some time to praise Him and give thanks this week, reading the
whole Psalm and remembering and sharing His protection over us!