Getting stuck in the mud is no fun! We could be out driving in our car, and for whatever reason, we go off the road and we get our tires stuck in the mud in a ditch or side of the road. Sometimes we might be out hiking in the woods or other rugged areas, and being off of any well-defined path, we might need to walk through some muddy, boggy spots. That brings the possibility of sinking down into the mud, possibly to where it might be difficult to get out, or at the least losing a shoe or boot. These situations can quickly ruin the day, or possibly put one into a bit of peril. King David was no stranger to troubles, and in our psalm today we read of some distressful times he faced, including getting stuck. Let’s take a look.
As we look at the first half of Psalm 69, we read of some type of dangerous situation that David found himself in. Numerous times in his life, David had been in difficult and serious trouble. When he was a young man, David spent many years living out in the wilderness on the run from his enemies, particularly King Saul. Earlier, as a youth, he had spent a lot of time as a shepherd outdoors watching his family’s sheep. David knew what it was like living outside including in some desolate areas. He knew the dangers, including swampy, boggy, muddy places, and areas prone to floods. He knew the dangers, and perhaps had on occasion gotten stuck.
Now, as he writes this psalm, King David is in some sort of trouble, trouble that he compares with being in a flood, with water that is up to his neck, ready to engulf him. This trouble has him so trapped that it is like he is stuck deep in the mire (vs. 1-2). We don’t know what this circumstance is, but the Bible has recorded that he faced many problems, some of his own making. Our troubles, and also our sin, can be so consuming that there seems to be no way that we can extricate ourselves. We are over our head, like a flood; so terribly stuck, like in boggy mud. Without the power of God, we stand no chance. When devastated by tragedy, we don’t need to despair, because we can turn to God and ask Him to save us and help us (vs. 3). Only Jesus can help us from the deep mire we find ourselves in.
David had been a believer and follower of the Lord God his whole life. He knew that the Lord could help him, and trusted that He would. David knew that his enemies were closely watching him. In addition to their relentless attacks on him, he knew that they were watching to see if God would come to his aid or not, to see if the Lord was capable. David did not want the Lord’s reputation to suffer on account of him (vs. 6). He knew that God was capable, and he wanted his rescue to bring Him glory. David prayed that his dismal situation may not be a stumbling block to others.
David also knew that all of his actions and behavior were also being watched. That is true for believers today, as well. The unsaved, particularly those who are actually hostile against Jesus, closely watch those who make professions of faith in Him, just waiting for the Christian to slip up in any way. What we do and how we live has a profound effect on those around us. People are watching us, even when we don’t realize it. We need to represent Jesus well at all times. Not only should we pray that we are not led into temptation, we need to be careful that we not lead anyone else there because of our behavior and actions.
Sometimes a Christian’s suffering comes because of their steadfast commitment to God (vs. 7-9). This was the case in David’s life. Though he wasn’t perfect, he chose to follow God, and often his enemies rebuked and reproached him.
David’s situation was in such a bad spot that even drunks were making up little ditties about him! (vs. 12). Things looked bad. When we are completely beaten down, and the situation seems hopeless, we need to continue to pray to God, just as David did, and He will hear and rescue us (vs. 13). As the great Christian Corrie ten Boom said, “There is no pit so deep, that He is not deeper still. With Jesus, even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.”
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