But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; in every way afflicted, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Submarines have a rated crush depth beyond which the hull cracks and the vessel is destroyed. My parents had friends whose husband served on the submarine Seawolf, so I had an interest in submarines. I remember when the Thresher slipped below crush depth during deep-diving tests in 1963 and was destroyed; a terrible tragedy.
We have an enemy who tries over and over to take us to, and would delight in taking us even below, crush depth. Jesus found Himself there in the Garden (Matthew 26:38-39). Peter found himself there after denying Jesus (Mark 14:71-72). Paul found himself there (2 Corinthians 1:8-9). I have found myself there. You probably have, too.
What do we do when we find ourselves at or heading toward crush depth? We cry out to the Lord! Four times in Psalm 107 the phrase “Then they cried out to Yahweh in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses” is repeated of Israel. Each time God delivers them. There is ample evidence in the New Testament that God will do this for His saints (see Romans 8:35-39 for starters) because “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Nearing or at crush depth? Cry out to the God who gave you victory in your salvation. (Re)Turn to Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Jeffrey Eno