In Over Our Heads!

There are many situations in life where we could feel “in over our heads.” We might be called upon to perform tasks we feel unqualified to do. We may have a mountain of homework, office work, or things in general that all seem to have come due at the same time and a feeling of being overwhelmed sets in. Perhaps we have tried to help others through a difficult situation or get our own selves out of trouble and found we were “in over our heads” and were ourselves in need of being RESCUED.

Note again part of the text we focused on yesterday.
“(5) And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the LORD God, (6) saying: ‘O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift my face to you, my God, for OUR INIQUITIES HAVE RISEN HIGHER THAN OUR HEADS, and our guilt has mounted up to the heavens.’” ( Ezra 9:5-6 ESV)

The psalmist David made the similar statement.
“For MY INIQUITIES HAVE GONE OVER MY HEAD; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” ( Psalm 38:4 ESV)

That is the way of sin. When we fall into sin we are “in over our heads” and are in need of being RESCUED. Not recognizing the seriousness of sin is like being engulfed by a tempestuous sea. Certainly we may be able to “tread water” for a while, but without turning to the One Who can save us we will begin sinking deeper and deeper. We cannot save ourselves. Unless we recognize how overwhelming sin can be we will not take our need seriously or be sufficiently motivated to seek the One Who can bring about our DELIVERANCE.

“In over our heads.” “Guilt … mounted up to the heavens.” Ezra’s description of the danger being in sin presents, should produce a sinking feeling. But praise God for a sufficient love and mercy that can meet with such a depth and height.

David noted…
“(5) YOUR STEADFAST LOVE, O LORD, EXTENDS TO THE HEAVENS, YOUR FAITHFULNESS TO THE CLOUDS. (6) YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS LIKE THE MOUNTAINS of God; YOUR JUDGMENTS ARE LIKE THE GREAT DEEP; man and beast YOU SAVE, O LORD.” ( Psalm 36:5-6 ESV)

Just as when Peter looked at the storm and began to sink and called upon the Lord to save him ( Matthew 14:30) and when the disciples felt the boat was getting swamped in the storm and looked to Jesus to save them ( Matthew 8:25-26), so is our need in the “sea of sin”. Jesus is our means of salvation. He is the One Who can lift our lives back up from the depths of sin and RESCUE us from perishing.

Referring to God, Paul encouraged…
“(13) He HAS DELIVERED US from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of HIS BELOVED SON, (14) IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.” ( Colossians 1:13-14 ESV)

There is no reason to drown in sin. God has not left us with merely the choice to either “sink or swim sailor.” We have Jesus to look to for DELIVERANCE. He has sufficient power to RESCUE us. May we humbly grasp the RESCUING hand He extends and let Him lift us out of the sin that seeks to encompass our life. In Him is found the only means of remaining afloat and being brought safely to God’s eternal shore.

Have a great day OVERWHELMED BY GRATITUDE AND TRUST IN THE LORD!
Carl

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