The Flood Waters are coming-But God

2 Samuel 22:5-21

Do you recall the question asked of us yesterday; “Have you ever written a song, not for publication but to express your thankfulness for the blessings of an all-powerful and Holy God?”  As we explore David’s gratefulness, maybe it will encourage you to begin your song of praise and thanksgiving.  David’s first words are recalling Saul’s desire to kill him or have him killed, and he makes this statement; “For the waves of death encompassed me, the torrents of destruction assailed me; the cords of Sheol entangled me; the snares of death confronted me.”  He is not referring to the rolling waves I experienced on the beach of Padre Island in Corpus Christi, but the ones that come when a hurricane enters the Gulf of Mexico.  And have you ever been in a canyon after a hard rain, the waters begin to move the landscape, and I’ve seen where it has moved large boulders, that is what David is expressing, he believes death is close at hand and refers to it as Sheol.

So what do you do when both physical and Spiritual enemies come against you, David runs to the Lord?  Verse seven, “In my distress, I called upon the Lord; to my God I called.  From his temple, he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.”  Verses 8-16 are describing the anger of God against the enemies of David and all he did, and all you and I must do is come with brokenness and dependence.  Verses 17-21, “He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters.  He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me because he delighted in me. The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.”

King David saw his life as one caught up in those flood waters, the ones that move huge boulders.  He knew that in his ability and resources King Saul would not only kill him and his men but all those whom David loved.  But David also knew that he was anointed by God to be the next king of Israel and that God is faithful, so he did what we must do.  David also knew that God delighted in him as his child, do you understand that He delights in you?

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice