I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.
The sinking mire with no footing and the overflowing deep waters portray distress so extreme that the sufferer feels unable to stand, submerged and engulfed, with the waters closing over and threatening to master and sink him. The verse depicts being forced to wade through a tide of oppression from brethren and fellow believers that wounds deeply and leaves no standing place. This oppression comes through crushing trials, undeserved burdens and censure, unbelief, jealousy, evil-surmising and false insinuations and accusations. It comes even after privation, toil and suffering endured for their good, and under pressing at the conference, leaving the sufferer poor and without help with strength and spirit almost crushed.
It also describes temptation, conflict, anxiety, care, wearisome labor, threatening circumstances, and affliction with failing strength even in dying as billows and deep waters going over the head. For days are not all clear and joyful, and such an experience brings sadness and discouragement. In that condition the soul is like a tempest-tossed ship come into deep waters with billows rolling near and the tempest high, in danger of being wrecked upon the rocks and making shipwreck of faith without light from the lighthouse.
When the floods seem overwhelming, God's eye is watching over, and light shines amid darkness so that sweet comfort and peace take the place of sadness and discouragement. God does not now give the spirit of the martyrs because the point of martyrdom has not come, but tests with smaller trials and crosses instead, and every trial He sees fit to send should be willingly endured. One in such peril must seek the favor of the Saviour who loved him and gave Himself for him, flying to Jesus' bosom for refuge with the gift of his own heart, and thereby gaining new and fresh zeal for the Master. This should not bring discouragement, but in meekness, faith and endurance the sufferer is to wait and hope and trust, because life is hidden with Christ in God. God's presence makes holy the chamber of His dying saints, so that even now such a life can teach that one can be happy under affliction. Patient endurance and joyful constancy upheld by unseen power bears powerful testimony to the Christian religion and the Christian Saviour, and these light afflictions become a transforming power that refines, purifies, ennobles, and fits the sufferer for the courts above.
The sinking mire with no footing and the overflowing deep waters portray distress so extreme that the sufferer feels unable to stand, submerged and engulfed, with the waters closing over and threatening to master and sink him. The verse depicts being forced to wade through a tide of oppression from brethren and fellow believers that wounds deeply and leaves no standing place. This oppression comes through crushing trials, undeserved burdens and censure, unbelief, jealousy, evil-surmising and false insinuations and accusations. It comes even after privation, toil and suffering endured for their good, and under pressing at the conference, leaving the sufferer poor and without help with strength and spirit almost crushed.
It also describes temptation, conflict, anxiety, care, wearisome labor, threatening circumstances, and affliction with failing strength even in dying as billows and deep waters going over the head. For days are not all clear and joyful, and such an experience brings sadness and discouragement. In that condition the soul is like a tempest-tossed ship come into deep waters with billows rolling near and the tempest high, in danger of being wrecked upon the rocks and making shipwreck of faith without light from the lighthouse.
When the floods seem overwhelming, God's eye is watching over, and light shines amid darkness so that sweet comfort and peace take the place of sadness and discouragement. God does not now give the spirit of the martyrs because the point of martyrdom has not come, but tests with smaller trials and crosses instead, and every trial He sees fit to send should be willingly endured. One in such peril must seek the favor of the Saviour who loved him and gave Himself for him, flying to Jesus' bosom for refuge with the gift of his own heart, and thereby gaining new and fresh zeal for the Master. This should not bring discouragement, but in meekness, faith and endurance the sufferer is to wait and hope and trust, because life is hidden with Christ in God. God's presence makes holy the chamber of His dying saints, so that even now such a life can teach that one can be happy under affliction. Patient endurance and joyful constancy upheld by unseen power bears powerful testimony to the Christian religion and the Christian Saviour, and these light afflictions become a transforming power that refines, purifies, ennobles, and fits the sufferer for the courts above.