The Survival Float / Our Daily Bread

The Survival Float September 17, 2016

Read: Psalm 55:4-23 Bible in a Year: Proverbs 27-29; 2 Corinthians 10 Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you.—Psalm 55:22 Sunlight glittered on the swimming pool in front of me. I overheard an instructor speaking to a student who had been in the water for quite a while. He said, “It looks like you’re getting tired. When you’re exhausted and in deep water, try the survival float.” Certain situations in life require us to spend our mental, physical, or emotional energy in a way that we can’t sustain. David described a time when his enemies were threatening him and he felt the emotional weight of their anger. He needed to escape the distress he was experiencing. As he processed his feelings, he found a way to rest in his troubled thoughts. He said, “Cast your cares on the Lordand he will sustain you” (Ps. 55:22). He recognized that God supports us if we dare to release our problems to Him. We don’t have to take charge of every situation and try to craft the outcome—that’s exhausting! God is in control of every aspect of our life. Instead of trying to do everything in our own effort, we can find rest in God. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking Him to handle our problems. Then we can pause, relax, and enjoy the knowledge that He is sustaining us. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt God, today I give my problems to You. I know that You are in control of everything and I believe You are willing to help me. Please help me to find peace in You. How do you find your rest?  God is a safe resting place. INSIGHT: In today’s reading David lamented over the activities of the wicked against him and denounced those who accused him (Ps. 55:1-15). Especially troubling was the betrayal of a former friend. Yet David had confidence in God. His goodness and ability to deliver pulled David into a spirit of praise (vv. 16-23).