Out of the Depths: Day One
Day 1: Crying from the Depths
Devotional
Life has a way of bringing us to our knees. Sometimes we find ourselves in what feels like a bottomless pit of guilt, shame, or despair. The psalmist calls this place 'the depths' – not literal waters, but the deep anguish of spiritual guilt that leaves us feeling helpless and isolated.
In these moments, our natural instinct might be to hide, to pretend everything is fine, or to compare ourselves to others who seem worse off. But the psalmist shows us a better way: honest acknowledgment and a cry for help.
The journey toward healing begins with recognizing where we truly are. Are you in the depths today? Perhaps you're carrying the weight of a mistake, struggling with persistent sin, or simply feeling distant from God. The good news is that no matter how deep the pit feels, God can hear your cry.
The first step out of the depths isn't trying harder or fixing yourself – it's simply calling out to the One who can reach you where you are. God isn't intimidated by your mess or your pain. In fact, that's precisely where He meets us.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy! - Psalm 130:1-2
Reflection Question
What 'depths' are you experiencing in your life right now, and what has kept you from crying out to God about them?
"God may feel far away, but he's always just a cry away.
That's the first step out of the depths, of realizing that you're in them."
—Pastor Mike Mura
Prayer
Lord, I acknowledge the depths in my life today. Thank you that you hear me when I call. Help me to be honest about my condition and to cry out to you rather than hiding or pretending. I need your mercy today. Amen.