Want to see that God is good for whatever you’re facing? Read Psalms

By Dean Collins

Back in the day, I was a certified lifeguard. I was never asked to make an appearance on Baywatch, but I did pass the tests required and worked at least one summer as a lifeguard. I don’t remember all of the different tests we had to pass to become official but I remember they involved a long swim, treading water, and knowing certain techniques to rescue someone who was struggling or drowning. Since we were trained to become lifeguards on a lake with sailboats, canoes, and kayaks, we also had to know how to flip them if they turned over and rescue those who became trapped inside.

I don’t remember how long we had to tread water but it seemed like forever. We even had to learn how to stay afloat in deep water fully clothed and how to stay afloat using our clothing as assets to help us. And we learned that lakes can have squishy bottoms, so even when you finally finished treading water and swam toward the shore, finding firm footing wasn’t easy.

Deep Waters

All of this came to memory this morning as I read Psalm 69:1: “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.” The psalmist gives us a clear picture of his struggle and need for rescue. When you do not have a place to stand and the water is over your head, real panic can set in quickly. Lifeguards have to remain calm when they encounter someone who is literally drowning lest they cause them both to drown.

In life, we have days we are “out of sorts”; something is just not right. You may not feel well, your schedule has been interrupted, maybe there is a relationship or family problem, and generally you just aren’t your normal self. A little encouragement, getting something to eat, or a good night's sleep may have you right back to normal. But if you feel like the psalmist does in Psalm 69, things have moved to another level.

Walter Brueggemann in his book, Spirituality of the Psalms, describes psalm 69 as a psalm of disorientation. (Other psalms, according to Brueggemann, can be classified as psalms of orientation or psalms of new orientation.)

Literal rescue

The psalmists, David along with others, had days where everything seemed right and connected to God. In some of these psalms we discover a sense of connectedness to both God and to all of his creation. Psalm 8 is a good example. We have all experienced those moments staring at the stars, driving through the mountains, seeing birds soar above in the blue sky. Moments like these can include a simple or strong awareness of God with us.

But we are all too aware that life happens, and numerous experiences can make us feel disoriented with God, with ourselves, and with others. Many psalms describe these emotions. Often in these times we can’t seem to sense God. Fear and anxiety may creep or even rush in and intensify the disconnectedness and disorientation. We may intellectually know God is still God and still in control, but we cannot feel it. In these moments we know we need God. We need not just an emotional connection; we need literal rescue. Our situation, our enemies, our illnesses, our past mistakes, any number of things can bring desperation.

Solid ground

In Psalm 69 the psalmist cries out for rescue and for God’s intervention. Often in these psalms of disorientation the writer reaffirms confidence that God will intervene. God will help. This is true in Psalm 69; hear the writer declaring faith that God will save and rescue his children and all will find refuge and restoration. You and I can use these psalms to remind ourselves of the many times God has intervened and pulled us out of the deep waters and placed our feet on solid ground.

Psalms of reorientation or new orientation are probably some of your favorites. Psalm 23 comes to mind. In this psalm we declare that God is present. He is our shepherd, our provider, the giver of all resources, and the one who meets every need. He is with us on the good days and shields, protects, and provides even on the dark days.

We need not apologize when we are in these various states. Our heroes of faith all went through each of them, more than a few times. When we make the reading of Psalms a regular rhythm, we will learn to use the different styles of psalms to meet us where we are, help us reorient ourselves, and remind ourselves that God is sufficient for every situation on every day.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭69‬ ‭ESV

Photo by Harry Knigh;: www.unsplash.com

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