David did two things: He waited. And he cried out. So simple, yet so hard! Waiting underscores David’s trust in the character of God, his belief that God was sovereign, and his belief that God would do good to him. Crying out displays his honest heart before God. Throughout the Psalms, David boldly speaks his heart to God! Clearly, he’s not afraid to voice his complaints. In response, to David’s strong emotions God does so much more! 

I sat on the edge of the pool, carefully heeding the instructions, “Do not get in the water without your teacher.” 

Without warning, I tumbled headfirst into the deep end. Unable to swim, I flailed, completely immersed, panicking with no ability to bring myself to the top. I could feel water searching for a way into my lungs. 

In an instant, strong arms encircled me, and drew me up out of many waters. Coughing, sputtering, and crying, I was ok. I clung to the one who held me. I was afraid, but I was safe. I was five, and I vividly recall wanting no further part in swimming lessons that day. 

It’s realistic that I could have drowned were it not for someone who was my help and my deliverer. It wasn’t the only time I thought I might drown, though. 

I fell across the lifeless form of my 30-year-old husband with a tube in his mouth, his skin cold to the touch, and torrential waves sucked me under. Yet another day, I watched helplessly as my toddler seized for 30 minutes, and nothing could stop it. Much later, pregnant with my fourth child (whose siblings were ages five and under), a box of macaroni dumped across the kitchen floor brought me to the place where all I could do was collapse and scream. (Did you know women can experience prenatal depression!?) It seemed the waves threatened to drag me down. 

I could have drowned several times. 

And I’d wager that I’m not the only one. Perhaps it’s more likely for adults to drown than children? We struggle at work and feel like impostors. We struggle with parenting, and feel as though we are not enough. It often seems as if there are 10,000 needs to meet, endless squabbles to break up, behavior we’re not sure how to handle, and everyone crying “Mommy” at the same time. 

Sometimes many “small” things join forces to make a “big” thing.

He Heard My Cry

I’ve cried to the Lord, “Help me! I’m drowning!” more than I’d care to admit. Perhaps you have too. Thankfully, the Psalmist has must have had similar feelings. “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice and my cry reached his ears.” (Psalm 18:6) 

A quick read though the Psalms, and it’s easy to see that David was no stranger to overwhelming circumstances. He records his season of distress in Psalm 40, “I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” 

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