Quicksand

I think the word ‘mire’ describes something like quicksand. I went to a school that was located near a sandy field. We were frequently warned not to go there, or play in the sand. I remember the temptation of wanting to try and see what it was like, which I never did, thankfully.

David describes the feeling of sinking in mud and mire. It’s a place of despair, helplessness, fear, turmoil and hopelessness. When a victim falls into quicksand two things happen; they are doomed to die unless someone else comes in and rescues them, and if they try and struggle to get themselves out they sink further in.

David is telling us in the Psalm that God will lift us out of the quicksand of our despair. When life’s troubles come upon us, many times we struggle and fight, sinking deeper and deeper into the quicksand of despair, until we’re helpless and hopeless. Many times we find ourselves buried so deep that we’re barely able to keep our heads above the sand in the midst of all our problems.

We needn’t wait until we’re neck-deep to call on God. When we find ourselves stuck in the pit of misery and despair we’re to call upon God for rescue. It’s when we struggle and fight on our own that we find ourselves in danger of succumbing to the troubles that overtake us. We must learn to cry out to our God. He’ll hear our cries, and He’ll turn our failure into regeneration, our grief into joy, and our helplessness into hope.

When Peter walked on the water towards Jesus he learnt that only faith in Jesus could make him stay afloat. When you feel like you’re sinking in a pit of despair, call out to Him. He knows the way out. He’s the solid ground, and the arm that lifts you out!

Prayer: Lord, I know that I need You. Only You can lift me up from the pit and put me on solid ground. I cry out to You. Please help me. Amen.