Day 12 – Lord, Save Me
The prayer “Lord, save me” is easy to identify with. We need to be:
• Saved from desperate circumstances – “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck” (Psalm 69:1).
• Saved from difficult people – “Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood” (Psalm 59:2).
• Saved from death eternal – “Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘LORD, save me!’” (Psalm 116:4).
• Saved from our destructive selves – “Save me from all my transgressions” (Psalm 39:8).
When the winds of life are blowing against you, when the waves of life are a struggle, Jesus sees the storm you’re facing, and he comes to you. Just like he did with his disciples when they faced their storm at sea.
The Gospels tell us that Jesus “saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. Shortly before dawn he went out to them, walking on the lake” (Mark 6:48). He called out: “Take courage! I’m right here with you. Don’t be afraid!” (see Matthew 14:27).
In a rush of emotion and a burst of faith, Peter blurts out that he wants to walk on the water too. So Jesus invites Peter to come to him.
In our difficult straits, Jesus invites you and I to come to him. To step out onto an unfamiliar and uncertain and unsettling path.
Imagine, like Peter, in a rush of emotion and a burst of faith, we step out of our boat and walk on the water toward Jesus. At first, we’re doing okay. Our eyes are on Jesus. God has empowered us to do the impossible.
But then, also like Peter, we are distracted by the wind and the waves around us. We cannot sustain our forward motion and our faith wavers. We are afraid and we begin to sink. We cry out, “Lord, save me!” (Matthew 14:30).
One moment you’re walking on top of the water. The next moment you’re sinking down.
As with Peter, Jesus immediately rescues us. He may chide us for doubting. But Jesus will not let you drown. You may find yourself wind swept, water soaked, and sinking down. But God will not let you stay there. As you turn again toward him and call out to him, he saves you!
The Lord Jesus reaches out to catch you. Then he calms the storm. And your “Lord, save me” prayer is answered.
Prayer: “Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love” (Psalm 6:4).
~ Pastor Dave
