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Reading: Psalm 69
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of David.
(Verses 1-5)
Save me, O God,
for the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in the miry depths,
where there is no foothold.
I have come into the deep waters;
the floods engulf me.
I am worn out calling for help;
my throat is parched.
My eyes fail, looking for my God.
Those who hate me without reason
outnumber the hairs of my head;
many are my enemies without cause,
those who seek to destroy me.
I am forced to restore
what I did not steal.
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you (NIV).*

Reflecting on God’s kindness — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
Above all else Psalm 69 is a plea for help. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
Have you ever been neck deep in trouble? I’ve been there and it’s not an entirely pleasant experience. I recall hanging upside down in my car, which was sitting on its roof in a snow-covered ditch. My wife was suspended upside down in the driver’s seat beside me.
Suddenly finding yourself upside down after a high-speed-icy skid can be unsettling. I recall unfastening my seatbelt so I could reverse my position and sit upright on the interior of the car roof. Opening the car doors was impossible due to the snow jammed up on the outside. There we sat, trapped, car tires in the air, as the sun began to set.
We had two life lines: a mobile phone and a direct line to Jesus. Both worked flawlessly. Within minutes a young couple helped us out of the car. Later that evening we drove our flipped car back into the city undamaged. There was nothing to indicate we were in a rollover, not even a scratch on the car body.
This true account serves as a reminder to me that God hears us when we pray. When we are in over our head—when we are neck deep and beyond—we can call out to God.
God did not save us because we are faultless. As the psalmist says, “You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you.” God saves us because of His great mercy.
Response: LORD God, thank you for showing us mercy when we don’t deserve it. Thank you for coming to rescue the likes of me. For this mercy and a thousand more, I give you thanks. Amen.
Your Turn: Has the Lord helped you when you were neck deep in trouble?
* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica
Some good news: The first volume of 365 Days through the Psalms by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in November, 2020, by Elk Lake Publishing. Two additional volumes will follow in 2021 to complete the three volume set of devotions from the Psalms.
I was in the air freight business and had worked over 24 hours straight. I foolishly decided to drive some 65 miles to get home before midnight. I had to go through a construction zone, I went to sleep and woke up with the front of the car stuck about a foot deep in the side of a pile of loose gravel. I was unhurt and the car was not damaged. I was able to back out of the gravel, get back on the road and arrived safely at home about 30 minutes later. Not smart but blessed beyond belief! Can I get an Amen?
Yes, Wally! Amen! God’s mercy in such situations is amazing.
Amen and Hallelujah!
Amen!
Amen and Hallelujah!
I was sixteen and far from being any kind of Christian at all and yet as I spun in circles on the snow covered interstate God sent an angel. Just behind me a tractor trailer trying to slow down began to slide sideways across all three lanes (Thankfully empty of traffic). The last thing I remember before closing my eyes and throwing up my hands was the rear dual wheels of the trailer coming straight at my car. I felt a bump and slid a bit and then everything came to a stop. When I opened my eyes a very nervous looking truck driver was running over towards my car. I opened the door and got out and in astonishment found that I had only bounced off the rubber of those enormous tires. There was not a single scratch on my car and the only damage was to the filament inside the highbeam of my headlights. Oh sometimes I wonder if my guardian angel ever asked God for an easier charge than some wild. long haried teen-ager! Yes God’s grace is truly amazing!
Pete, you were spared for a purpose. That’s what I take away from events such as this.
God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform. Every day there are miracles happening. We just need to open our eyes and see them.
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Wow, that’s amazing David! But I’m sure it was a pretty scary time! God’s mercies are amazing!!
Yes, they are.