Out of Many Waters
Today’s Verse
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters. ~Psalm 18:16
Perhaps the most heart-pounding programs to watch are the ones that have filmed daring and heroic rescues. Some of the most incredible rescues I’ve seen are those of people trapped in raging waters. These people are swept up by the torrent of the ocean or river water. They are in great jeopardy as they are being pummeled by the waters. David uses a similar simile to compare how he was in very bad trouble and needed help. Let us see how the Lord delivers out of many waters.
We see David’s distress.
David wrote Psalm 18 to praise the Lord for delivering him from Saul and all his enemies. It is recorded in 2 Samuel 22 as well. David describes the pressure and stress he is feeling from those who were against him. He calls his distress “many waters” and the “floods of ungodly men.” He called his predicaments “the sorrows of death,” “the snares of death,” and “the sorrows of hell.” He referred to those who were his adversaries as his “strong enemy” and being “too strong for me.” The descriptions of David aptly describe trials and problems that overwhelm us and make us feel like we will be under for the count.
We see David’s dependence.
David describes his complete dependence upon the Lord. It is at his weakest point that he demonstrates he had nowhere to go but to the Lord. David called on the Lord in his distress. We will never understand true faith until we are weak, helpless, without resources, and at our wits’ end. Faith is placing our entire dependence upon God. Faith is telling the Lord all about our troubles. Our best praying happens when we are in distress. Faith is when we let go and let God.
We see David’s dynamic.
David’s deliverance came quickly. God drew him out of his predicament. God came to his aid in great power: he describes the earth shaking, fire and smoke coming forth from the Lord, and the Lord thundering from Heaven. David was protected by God. God became his Shield and Buckler. David had power with God. God was his strength. This power enabled him to run through a troop, to leap over walls, and to bend a bow of steel in his hands. God turned the tables, and it was David pursuing his enemy and no longer the enemy pursuing him. David subdued his enemies. He said that God gave him the necks of his enemies and that he beat them as small as the dust. David was in control of this situation because God was in control!
We see David’s devotion.
David wrote this psalm to teach us the importance of our closeness to God. “The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.” Godly living always precedes God’s mighty acts in our life. David lived a life that was honorable, holy, and pleasing to God. When the trials came, he could come to God with integrity of heart. The Lord rewards us according our righteousness. David’s prayer was answered speedily because he was living for the Lord.
We see David’s dominion.
He said God kept him to be the head of the heathen and strangers would submit themselves to him. David was in control because the Lord was in control. He went from being in the water to where his feet were in a large place. We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us. The Lord liveth, and blessed be my Rock!
Have a victorious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Numbers 23-25