If you know someone who panics at the sight of a bug, and wants you to get rid of it for them, you may look at the bug and say, “Why are you afraid of that? You’re, like, a million times bigger than it. It’s not even going to bite you.”
In 2 Samuel 22, though, David the king realizes that God didn’t just rescued him from a “little bug” David was rescued from a situation where he could not win on his own. In verse 17, David describes his situation as God having drawn him “out of deep waters”.
In verses 18 and 19, David reinforces that point. His enemies weren’t pushovers. They were “too strong for” him. This was a day of disaster.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.2 Samuel 22:18-19 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2sa.22.18-19.NIV
Do you have problems like that today? Are there things in your life that you know you can’t overcome on your own? Whether it’s a grizzly bear clawing holes in your tent, or a massive bill that you can’t pay, God is able to save us from things that we simply have no way of fixing on our own.
Note that David didn’t just imagine that he saw God working in some sort of coincidence, or perceive that he (David) was “lucky” in a particular situation. While God can control our circumstances, David knew that he was being rescued from drowning (whether literally or figuratively), and it was clear to David that God was the one helping him out. Similarly, there is hope for you, no matter how bad your current situation is. Call out to God: the all-powerful, all-knowing God who created the universe, yet still loved you and me enough to send His Son (Jesus Christ) to restore us back into His family after we turned away from Him.
I don’t necessarily know where you might be struggling today. Some people are brave enough to share what is on their heart, but if you aren’t comfortable doing so, that’s OK: I’m not calling anyone out. You don’t have to share your prayer requests in the comments below (although you are welcome to do so). However, I do want you to think about what challenges you face these days. Maybe it’s not a big deal, or maybe it’s taking over your life, as you experience pain, fear, or heartbreak.
If you are struggling (with anything at all), I would like you to read 2 Samuel 22 on your own. (Now, I realize that when I say this, most readers won’t do so, but if just one person can be helped today, it is worth me taking the time to extend this invitation.)
As you read 2 Samuel 22, when you don’t have the words to cry out to God, use the words that He’s already given us in the Bible. Read through that chapter (maybe a couple of times), and consider which of these things you want to say to God. Where you feel the same way as David, say those same words back to God. If you get stuck, remember that the Holy Spirit is also our “translator” when we don’t know what to say. (See Romans 8:18-30, which is a passage that takes us from our present sufferings to God working good in all things.)
Maybe you’re not ready yet to praise God for having gotten you out of an impossible situation. Maybe you just need hope that there will be a day when you are past your current trials – whether later here on earth, or when we get to Heaven. If so, read David’s testimony to God one more time, and remember that there will be a day.
From Sunday School Lesson for June 20, 2021
References:
- The Lookout, June 20, 2021, © 2021 Christian Standard Media.
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press Commentary, 1 & 2 Samuel, by James E. Smith. College Press Publishing Company, © 2000, p.427-430.
Those Who Sin Differently 