Devotional for Deadliners

By Anne Baxter Campbell

Save me, O God!
For the waters have come up to my neck.
I sink in deep mire,
Where there is no standing;
I have come into deep waters,
Where the floods overflow me.
I am weary with my crying;
My throat is dry;
My eyes fail while I wait for my God
(Psalm 69:1-3, NKJV)

Have you ever felt like this? I do-often, usually when I’m facing what looks like a higher mountain than I can climb. Maybe especially this fall when I said I could do more writing and editing projects than I’m physically or mentally able to accomplish—that is, without God. Even with Him, sometimes I fear He will let me sink into that morass of my own making.

The more we have to do, the more desperate the need for more time in prayer. Alone, I’m lost, drowning, stymied. I relate to Verse 8 of this same Psalm: “O God, You know my foolishness.”

With Him, it’s a different story. Take a peek at the last three verses: “Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. For God will save Zion and build the cities of Judah, that they may dwell there and possess it. Also, the descendants of His servants shall inherit it, and those who love His name shall dwell in it.”

I figure if God can save Zion (that’s a good-sized chunk of property) and build the cities of Judah (in the time of Jesus, I could count over fifty on my Bible map), he can lend speed to my fingers, gather my scattered thoughts into a semblance of order, and provide inspiration for the writing projects.

We serve a generous Lord. He gives grace when it’s really undeserved. He grants wisdom every time we ask. He brings good from even our worst mess-ups. Even when that mess-up is biting off bigger chunks than the jolly green giant could chew, there’s grace. Even when it’s situation where our own foolishness has gotten us, He gives us wisdom, even if only to avoid that stupidity in the future. Even when the sin was deliberate-knowing God didn’t want us doing that very thing-forgiveness waits for only our repentance and asking.

How can we help but worship? What is there left but to praise the Author and Finisher? Gratitude flows from my heart in cascades.

Father God, You know me inside and out. Even as dusty and careworn as I get, even with the stress that builds to the point of breakage, You are there. You lift me up on eagles wings to more than I can be. You, dearest Lord, are the Miracle that keeps me going. I love You more than I can express. Thank You, bless You, Praise You, precious Jesus. Amen.

Anne Baxter Campbell is the author of The Truth Trilogy, the writer of the blog A Pew Perspective, and one of God’s beloveds. She’s a wife, mother, and grandmother who can wax wayyyyy verbose about how great her family is-so unless you have lots of time, don’t ask.