Death Stared Me in the Face

The ropes of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. Psalm 18: 4-5 NLT

How close to death have you ever come? Have you ever been in a horrific accident or had a serious illness in which you believed you were going to die? Were you ever in a life-threatening situation? What did that feel like? How did you react?

The psalmist describes this brush with death in terms of the physical. Death captures and holds on like ropes. There seems to be no escape from the grave. The floods of destruction wash over someone -- I suppose much like a tsunami or tidal wave. When in those grips or facing such destruction, there is a feeling of utter helplessness. When death stares you in the face, you realize just how human and helpless you truly are.

Life does bring death. That is a fact. But what can help us when we feel so small? Only God. Whether God saves us from death or simply is with us through and in death, we can depend upon God.

God, thank you for your presence in our lives, especially when we face death. May we lean heavily on you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2011 Amelia G. Sims