"Therefore, let all the godly pray to You while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgement." (Psalm 32:6 NLT)
In Texas, we have a saying: Turn around, don’t drown. When you first move down here, it seems a little silly. It rains so rarely. Cloudbursts are pretty far and few between. Right now the ground is parched and cracked like a face mask left on far too long. The drought makes it hard to fathom anyone drowning.
When the rains finally come, the topsoil has been boiled rock-hard. The water won’t soak in, but wash away, creating a dangerous and raging run-off. These instant rivers can rip out roads and bridges alike. In our stubborn determination, there’s a temptation to drive through the water, rather than take the time to go around it. Forging ahead is often catastrophic because the driver can’t judge what lies below the rushing run-off. They fail to recall the power of the current on even a few inches of fast-moving water. A foot of running water can pull a full-size vehicle off the road. This is where the slogan, Turn around, don’t drown – words that seem so out of place in a drought-prone part of the country – suddenly click into place.
In today’s scripture, David issued the same sort of life-preserving warning. He called the godly to confession. His words remind us that grace will not always be available: as long as we have breath we have opportunity to make it right with our Creator. Turn around, don’t drown.
It’s interesting: a great many believers seem to be convinced we are living in last days. They believe the end is near. Yet across the country, churches are emptying. Attendance, involvement, investment and adherence to scripture all seem to be in steep decline. Surprisingly, this belief about last days isn’t creating a lot of concern over the condition of our souls. Quite the opposite, actually. For more than a year now, I’ve wondered if we aren’t amidst the great falling away that Jesus described.
"And may will turn away from Me and betray and hate each other." (Matthew 24:10 NLT)
Doesn’t that sound like the times we are living in? Young Timothy talks about it, too.
"Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith, they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons." (1 Timothy 4:1 NLT)
As a pastor, this collective resignation from church cuts me deep. The subtle deception of long-time believers just breaks my heart. I understand the weariness of our world. I know we are all hurting and tired and frustrated and spent. But what hope do we have apart from Jesus? Author John Eldredge relates this concession to a man walking across a huge desert. He grows so weary of the desert that he eventually cuts off his legs so his feet won’t feel the pain of the sand any longer. But now he is doomed! He’s amputated his only means of escape! When we leave the body of believers and the accountability, encouragement, and edification they offer – how else will we find our way through the desert? When we abandon the corporate expression of our faith, what can we cling to?
If we are really near the end as so many suspect, isn’t this the time to search our hearts and confess of whatever is keeping us from His presence? Shouldn’t we be deeply concerned with maintaining nearness to God? The closer we come to Christ’s return the shorter accounts we should keep. Instead, faith is faltering and believers are tapping out.
David’s words are critical. Even though it feels as though we are in a spiritual drought and we can’t stand the sand another day, we must keep repenting. We may be in a season where it’s hard to fathom rain falling. (I’m sure Noah had a tough time picturing it, too.) Yet David said the flood of judgment is coming. We do not want to be caught moving in the wrong direction when the heavens open up.
Repentance isn’t difficult, it’s humbling. It’s downright unpleasant to admit that we are wrong and alter our direction, but it’s necessary. We’ve got to turn around and move towards God again. Our window for confession is closing: sealed by Christ’s return or last breath. Our stubbornness will come at a very high cost if we refuse to see our own sin and confess it. Turn around, don’t drown.
"From then on Jesus began to preach, "Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near." (Matthew 4:17 NLT)
Lord, search our hearts today. Help us to see all the ways we have offended You: ether in our ill-treatment of others or our disregard of Your Word. Meet our turnabout with grace. Help us keep our accounts short as we await Your return. Don’t let us to waste our limited opportunity. Amen.