“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his hear to dull to hear” - Isaiah 59:1 (NIV)

A rope can serve many useful purposes. For instance, ropes are used to tie up loose ends and hold bulky items together. Ropes can form a scaffold useful in building. Sometimes a rope can be thrown out for one at sea and used to pull such back to safety.

Once the Apostle Paul was caught up in a situation where he was being pursued for arrest due to his preaching. “In Damascus the Governor under King Aretas had the city of Damscenes guarded in order to arrest me. But I was lowered in a basket from a window in a wall and slipped through his hands” (2 Cor 2: 33-34). A rope had played a useful purpose.

Sometimes though we can be at the end of our ropes, where it is not the case of being thrown a rope to pull us back to safety. After King David’s son overthrew him forcing him out of the palace he was clearly driven to the end of his ropes, being thrown all types of abuses( 2 Sam 16:8). But at that desperate point in his life David decided to look to God and cry out: “Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe” (Psalm 61:1-3).

At his lowest moment David did not lose all hope. He goes on to add, “Increase the days of the King’s life, his years for many generations. May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him” (verse 6-7). And finally David declares, “Then I will sing in praise of your name, and fulfil my vows day after day” (verse 8).

When we are at the end of our ropes, the example of David should surely inspire us. When all hope is lost let us look up to the Almighty God, to throw us a rope of His own to glide us back to the shores of life.

Prayer for today : Lord Father in heaven, where I am at the end of my ropes, I look up to you trusting that you will throw me the rope of life!