“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” — Psalm 40:2

Any one of us can experience a low moment after a disappointment, failure, rejection, sickness and one is left as though trapped in a pit with no strength to climb out. At such moments, it is easy to believe that our circumstances define our future.

In 2018 a boat cruise carrying about 100 party revellers capsized on Lake Victoria taking 29 lives. When people are drowning and perhaps do not know how to swim they cling at any straw for safety. In life one may feel as if drowning and in desperation clings to any rope that happens to come by.

The Apostle Peter had such an experience of suddenly being threatened with drowning. Inspired by Jesus he once attempted to walk on water, but then his faith was not as should, for “when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30).

The experience of Peter certainly shows that where we find ourselves in such a position that feels like drowning instead of clinging to any hope we should set our eyes on Jesus. Fortunately Jesus was around to give him a lifting hand, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” ( vv 31). 

Indeed David’s life was often in such situation. Fleeing from Saul he sometimes took refuge in caves. Once fearing King Achish he even “pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard” ( I Samuel 21:13). This experience would lead him to write, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high” (Psalm 3:3).

Perhaps you too have gone through such a situation where you feel as drowning. There is a God in the business of lifting you up, once you turn your eyes on him and have faith, just as Peter found out!

Prayer: Lord Almighty Father God, when I hit the rock bottom, I look up to you to lift me up! I pray you fill me with the Holy Spirit to give me strength to have my eyes ever on you knowing you are the God who lifts and shelters those down. This I pray in Jesus’s mighty name!