Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "God Reveals His Presence"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 40:1-2 – I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (NIV)
Psalm 40:1-2 – I waited patiently for God to help me; then he listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path, and steadied me as I walked along. (TLB)
Psalm 40:1-2 – I waited patiently for the Lord's help; then he listened to me and heard my cry. He pulled me out of a dangerous pit, out of the deadly quicksand. He set me safely on a rock and made me secure. (GNT)
For the past several summers, my husband and I and another couple have been attending mud volleyball tournaments to show our support for the youth and the counsellors at the summer church camp that we attend.
Mud volleyball is played in a sea of mud. The participants literally get covered from head to toe in mud. When they are playing, they slip and slide all over the place. When the game is finished, they come out of the mud and mire and wander over to a small river where they get washed off and come out completely clean again. This happens several times during the course of the day as they play different teams.
As one who suffers from depression, especially in the winter months, I can really relate to today's Scripture. There are many days when I feel as if I were in a dangerous pit of deadly quicksand, mud, and mire. When I cry out to God in my times of despair, He always listens and hears my cry. Always, our faithful God will lift me out of my slimy pit of despair, wash off the mud and the mire, set my feet on firm ground, and steady me as I walk along.
There is a praise song which really says it all:
- Jesus, lover of my soul
Jesus, I will never let You go
You've taken me from the miry clay
You've set my feet upon the rock
And now I know
I love You, I need You
Though my world may fall
I'll never let You go
My Savior, my closest Friend
I will worship You until the very end
– Daniel Grul, John Ezzy, Steve McPherson
Whatever is troubling you today, will you call on Him and wait patiently for the Lord to hear your cry and lift you out of your pit of despair?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank You so much for Jesus, our Saviour and our Friend. We thank You, Jesus, that You love us. We love You. We need You. We will never let You go. May we worship You until the very end and throughout eternity. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Amen sister!
Thanks for the wonderful reminder Dee. God’s blessings.
It’s so good to see you in print again. Keep on encouraging us! God bless.
Thanks for reminding us that our Saviour is able to pull us from the deepest pit. Blessings.
Dee
Thank you for the words to know there is a way out through Christ our Saviour! Keep throwing the mud knowing we have a steady stream above to cleanse us.
Lovely message Dee,
Winter tends to send me into a spiral too and these passages always help to keep me elevated – even in the cold depths of winter. I hate to even think of the season.
Dee:
I didn’t know you watched mud volleyball that I presume happens with Huron Feathers. I have suggested to help you in the winter months when you get into the “pit”. I will gladly come along side you.
I appreciate your devotional. A mudpit is an ideal analogy for hopelessness. I come from a farm, and remember the mudpits – lots of them, especially in wet seasons. Tractors would sometimes get stuck in huge pits of mud. The more you struggle to get out, the deeper your tractor sinks. You have to get a stronger tractor to pull you out. Likewise, there’s a lot of spiritual mudpits around, even within us; and only God can pull us out. Our job is to hold on tightly and trust Him.
Dear Dee,
So good to hear from you. Thank you so much for this devotional; trials followed by resolution with the strong arms of our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ — a great message! My prayers are that you are now on solid ground with the advent of spring and summer.
Dear Dee,
Thank you for writing.
He will never leave you nor forsake you.
With his right hand he will uphold you.