DAY 209

AT THE END OF YOUR ROPE

Psalm 43, 44 & 45 and Acts 27:27-44

We have all been there, at the end of our proverbial rope. Paul is; he is shipwrecked. You could view this situation in two ways. This first being that you might see his situation as having gone from “bad to worse;” after all today we learn that the ship was carrying some 276 people, some of (and maybe many of) whom were prisoners. So now you have made it ashore, marooned on an island with 276 strangers you do not know and some who might be murderers. That would be one way to look at it. The other way might be that you have been delivered from this dreadful ship, are on “terra-firma” where you can get some food and be safe as God works out his plan to get you and Paul to Rome. Maybe you can even think of a third way to view this situation.

All kidding aside, there are days we get to the end of our rope…and God understands. Read Psalm 44 – it is pure lament. The first 8 verses praise God for his past deeds, but then verse 9 begins, “Nevertheless, you have rejected and humbled us…” and it goes on from there. The Psalm is thought to have been composed when Hezekiah was in deep distress and trouble (cf. 2 Kings 19). My point is that this is the Word of God. Ever wonder if you could get honest with God and let him know how you feel when you are at the end of your rope? Ever wonder if you could get so honest with God that you express, not you lack of trust, but your disappointment with Him? If you have ever wondered these things, they re-read Psalm 44.

Being at the end of your rope is something God can appreciate, and even has experienced in the person of Jesus. Yet at the same time, as people of faith, while we are in distress, there should always be at least a tiny glimmer of hope. Sometimes our despair is so dark that is it only a glimmer and yet a glimmer is all we need, for we also read, Send out your light and your truth, that they may lead me, and bring me to your holy hill, and to your dwelling;” cf. Psalm 43:3.