February 20, 2025 Devo

This verse really spoke to me today. For David, it was a declaration of God’s deliverance from his enemies. There were too many to fight. They were too strong to stand up against. David had been on the run for a while and was too tired and too overwhelmed to fight back. But God, in His Grace, reached in and pulled David out of the deep waters he was in. What a beautiful picture.
Have you ever been “in over your head?” I have. Many times. I can remember feeling that as a father raising two boys. As our boys went through those very volatile teen years, I often felt as if I was struggling to know what to do. Trying to navigate setting boundaries on TV time, what friends they could hang out with, what clothes and hairstyles were acceptable, and how to handle the whole dating thing made me often feel as if I was in deep waters. Wanda and I spent a lot of time talking, praying, and at times, battling with our kids. Though I’m sure we didn’t do it exactly right, God got us through. And I’m sure that after several years of therapy, our kids will be fine as well.
I’ve been in over my head as a leader many times. So much of what’s required of a pastor you don’t get much education on in college. Things like how to lead an elder board—especially when you’ve got strong personalities on there. Or how to raise the money needed to meet the needs of a growing ministry. Or how to handle toxic leaders or staff members. Time and again, I find myself crying out to God that I’m in “deep waters” and need wisdom and strength that I don’t have. And God in His Mercy leads me through and lifts me out.
I’ve been in over my head trying to figure out what to do with various people along the way. People who have needs I don’t know how to meet. People who have issues that push all the wrong buttons for me. People who want more time, energy, or attention than I can give. Those are the times, too, that I cry out to God for guidance, wisdom, and strength. God is Lord over our deep waters. He can see us through and lift us out.
What “deep waters” are you in today? Where do you find yourself in over your head and in need of a rescuing Hand? God sees you. He knows what you’re up against, and He knows what you need. Cry out to Him today, and let Him know that you need Him to do for you what He did for David and what He’s done for me. No matter where you find yourself today, God can reach you, and He can lift you out. He’s the Lord over YOUR deep waters. That’s God’s Word for you today.