God Hears, Even in the Deepest Waters

By Romina Chevren

“I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies. The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.”—2 Samuel 22:4–6 (NIV)

Sometimes, we can feel as though we’re standing on solid ground and then, in a flash, the floodwaters rise. Pain, fear, or unexpected loss can hit so hard that we're left gasping, wondering if God sees us, hears us, or will do anything at all.

In today’s passage, David gives us a raw, poetic glimpse into one of those moments of deep, personal crisis. When reading it, we can see this is not the triumphant David dancing with joy after a victory. This is the David who is tired, tested, and terrified—yet still trusting.

David begins with a declaration of where he turns in distress: “I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise.” Even before describing the depth of his danger, he anchors himself in worship. Notice the order: He doesn’t say, “I called to the Lord and hoped for the best.” He praises God in the same breath as he pleads for help. Why? Because he has a history with the Lord. He knows God has come through before and is confident He will again. David understands something we often forget: God’s worthiness doesn’t change based on our circumstances. He’s always worthy of praise, even when the ground shakes beneath us.

Then, David describes the turmoil that surrounded him: “The waves of death swirled about me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.” This isn't mild discomfort or everyday stress. This is drowning-level despair. “Waves” and “torrents” are images of chaotic, overwhelming forces. Have you ever felt like that? Like trouble was rising faster than you could swim? Like you couldn’t catch your breath under the pressure of loss, grief, or fear?

David knew that feeling all too well. And he didn’t pretend otherwise. He continues, “The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me.” His language is haunting. He’s not just surrounded, he’s entangled; trapped. There seems to be no escape. Death isn’t just a possibility; it’s in his face, reaching for him.

And yet—he called on the Lord.

Here’s the truth we must not miss: David didn’t wait until the storm passed to cry out. He didn’t wait until he felt strong again or had a rescue plan. He called out from the middle of it: from the depths; from the swirl of death and the snare of fear—and that’s exactly what God invites us to do.

Sometimes we think we have to have it all together before we come to God. We think we have to pray polished prayers or offer praise only when things are good. But David teaches us that our cries in chaos are just as holy as our songs in celebration. In fact, they may be more honest, more desperate, and more powerful.

This passage is also a reminder that being a person after God’s own heart doesn’t mean you’ll avoid hardship. David was chosen, anointed, and deeply loved by God—and still, he faced overwhelming danger. But being close to God means you always have someone to call on who hears, responds, and rescues.

When David says, “and have been saved from my enemies,” he speaks not just of past rescue but of continual deliverance. God doesn’t save once and disappear. He stays present. He rescues again and again, sometimes dramatically, sometimes quietly, but always faithfully.

So, what do we do with this? We do what David did. We cry out. We praise through pain. We speak honestly about the depths we’re in—and believe God’s not only listening, but already on His way to lift us out.

God doesn't require us to be unshaken to be heard. He simply asks us to call from the waves, from the snare, from the mess—we are to lift up our voice. He hears, and He will move.

Pause: Take a quiet moment. Breathe deeply. Ask yourself:

• What’s overwhelming me right now?
• Where do I feel trapped, anxious, or afraid?
• Have I cried out to God about this, or have I tried to carry it alone?

Let yourself feel the weight of that question. Don’t rush. God meets you in honesty.

Practice and Pray: Today, practice speaking one simple prayer out loud: “Lord, I feel overwhelmed by ____. I need You. Please help me.” No perfect words are needed. Just your heart. Then, take one action step of trust—like listening to a worship song, journaling your cry, or texting a friend to ask for prayer. Let it remind you that you’re not alone, and God hears every cry.