May 24/Weekend

Written by Bill Grandi on May 24th, 2019

My title for this devotion is Desperate vs Settled.

Have you ever been really desperate? I’m talking “end of the rope” desperate. I can honestly say there have been times I thought I was at the end of my rope-or as one of Tami’s students asked her: “Miss Grandi. Are you on your last nerve?”-but I’m guessing I wasn’t quite there. Yet. It was definitely coming though.

I wonder if that is how David felt when he wrote these words: “Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is not foothold; I have come into deep waters,  and the flood sweeps over me.” Then later he wrote: “Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good: according to your abundant mercy turn to me. Hide not your face from your servant, for I am in distress; make haste to answer me. Draw near to my soul, redeem me; ransom me because of my enemies.” (Psalm 69: 1-2, 16-18)

Words of desperation. In fact, much of Psalm 69 seems to be that. David is describing what I will call “the end of the rope syndrome.” He’s come to the end of his own strength and realizes he needs help. How many of us have felt and can feel the despair of verses 1-2? (Want an education? Read the whole chapter). There is a desperation that oozes out of the words.

BUT there is also a settledness that comes. David realizes he needs God (verses 16-18) And God does come. How do I know? “I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” (69:30)

“Father, let my desperation lead me to you. Help me to not give in to despair but to find my settledness in You. Let my song be one of joy not desperation.”

 

3 Comments so far ↓

  1. Amen, Bill! “Let my song be one of joy not desperation.”
    Blessings!

  2. floyd says:

    I love those Psalms of desperation. The most gifted and blessed man in history had struggles and turned to God in the midst of them. What a wonderful example and lesson.

  3. Ryan S. says:

    I have definitely been there… Desperation, End of the Rope, the only way to look was up for sure.