“In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears. . . . He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.”—2 Samuel 22:7, 17 (NIV)

There are moments in life when words fail—when the weight of sorrow, fear, or stress presses down like waves crashing on top of us. In these times, we feel helpless, unsure of what to say, and overwhelmed by the depth of our need. That’s exactly where David was when he wrote this song of deliverance.

David, a man who had faced enemies, betrayal, isolation, and war recounts what it felt like to be trapped and near despair. He describes his distress with vivid and poetic imagery: “The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me” (2 Samuel 22:5–6 NIV). These aren’t just poetic metaphors. These are raw descriptions of emotional, spiritual, and physical turmoil.

But what changed David’s situation? He didn’t come up with a strategy. He didn’t muster his own strength. He didn’t pretend to be fine. He cried out to the Lord–and when he did, God moved.

Sometimes we imagine God as far off in heaven, too busy or too holy to be concerned with our ordinary struggles. But this passage shows a different picture. When David cried out, “From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears,” God wasn’t disengaged. He was attentive, listening intently to the voice of His servant.

And God didn’t just listen—He acted. The heavens shook. Fire blazed. Wind rushed. Lightning flashed. David uses the language of thunder, storm, and earthquake to describe the power with which God responded. It’s a poetic way of saying: Heaven moved when I cried.

This passage reminds us that God’s not indifferent to our pain. He doesn’t ignore the cries of the desperate. In fact, He’s drawn to them. His response may not always be immediate in our eyes, but it’s certain. He hears. He comes down. He rescues.

When You Feel Like You’re Drowning

In verse 17, David says, “He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.” Have you ever felt like you were drowning in life’s pressures? Whether it’s anxiety, grief, addiction, broken relationships, or the weight of responsibilities, sometimes we’re so overwhelmed we can’t even catch our breath.

David gives us hope. God not only sees you, He reaches for you. He draws you out of the waters that threaten to consume you. He pulls you close.

How Should We Respond?

1. Cry Out Honestly. Don’t wait until you’re “spiritual enough” to pray. Cry out now. Use your own words. God hears cries, not just polished prayers.

2. Trust His Response. Even when you don’t feel anything happening, trust that your cry has reached His ears. Faith believes before it sees.

3. Look for His Rescue. Sometimes God’s rescue is dramatic. Other times, it’s a slow strengthening of your heart. Either way, it’s Him.

Pause: Take a moment to slow your heart and reflect. David’s distress wasn’t abstract—it was real, raw, and overwhelming. And yet, he didn’t bottle it up. He cried out. Sit quietly. Don’t rush to fix anything—just name what’s heavy. Acknowledge your “deep waters” before the One who draws near to the brokenhearted.

Practice: David’s breakthrough began with a cry. Yours can, too.

Here’s how to turn this into practice:

1. Write Your Cry. Find a journal or open a note on your phone and write out your honest cry to God. Don’t filter it. Don’t polish it. Just be real. “Lord, I feel like I’m drowning in . . .”

2. Speak it out loud. Find a quiet place and read what you wrote aloud to God. Let your voice remind your heart: He hears you.

3. Notice His nearness. Ask God to make His presence known. Look for His hand in simple things—a friend reaching out, a moment of peace, a Scripture that speaks to you. These are not coincidences; they’re His rescue in motion.

4. Return daily. Make a habit of crying out—not just in distress, but in trust. Your consistency invites deeper connection.
   

Pray: Lord, when I’m overwhelmed, I thank You I can cry out to You and know You hear me. When I feel like I’m drowning, remind me that You’re reaching down to lift me up. Let me trust You, even when the storm rages. Move in my heart, in my home, and in my circumstances. Rescue me, Lord, and help me hold on until the day I see You move. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.