Sinking?

It rained heavily yesterday, so the river was fairly racing along today. The ducks had decided that discretion was the better part of valour and had taken refuge on the duckpond; apart from the ‘chak’ of a jackdaw or two flying overhead and a wren tut-tutting in the bushes, my ears were filled with the sound of rushing water.

But as I approached the weir I became aware of another sound, an irregular thump-thump. When I finally got there, I found a large chunk of wood which must have been carried downstream on the fast-flowing water until it became trapped in the top section of the salmon ladder. I watched for some time as it eddied round and round, bumping against the sides, sometimes almost escaping, then being sucked back and pushed under the water again.

Isn’t that just like us, held captive by sin, unable to escape despite our best efforts?  Only the intervention of God Himself, stooping to rescue us, can lift us from condemnation and despair into life and light.

I was sinking deep in sin, sinking to rise no more,
Overwhelmed by guilt within, mercy I did implore.
Then the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
Christ my Saviour lifted me, now safe am I.

-James Rowe

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

He brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. Psalm 40:2