Tag: patiently waiting on the Lord
He lifted me out of the slimy pit!
Scripture reading for June 11th: Psalm 36-41
Sometimes life’s circumstances overwhelm us. Our situation and the battles we face dominate our thinking and depression takes us into a slimy pit. I have been there myself! Someone once told me, “sober up–you are drunk on the circumstances!” The psalmist recorded a personal battle where he was in a slimy pit!
King David was sick in body with festering wounds because of sin and guilt in his life. He had back pain that penetrated his being. (Psalm 38:5-7) He was feeble and crushed in anguish of heart. People avoided him because of his wounds and there were those plotting his ruin. His enemies hated him without reason and slandered him for his good works! (Psalm 38:19-20) He asked God not to forsake him and come quickly and help! (vs 21-22) (This sounds like Jesus!)
David stated in Psalm 40 that after patiently waiting on the Lord, God heard his cry and lifted him out of the slimy pit that held him. He set David’s feet on a firm rock and put a new song in his mouth, a song of praise to God! But this psalm ends with another humble prayer for help! God’s help to David was an attitude change, not necessarily a change in circumstances!
When we are in the ‘slimy pit’, like David, we should tell the Lord how we feel. Honest evaluation and casting our cares on Him is a good thing to do. We should also confess our trust in the Lord. (Psalm 38:22. 40:17) The psalmist could not help himself–he had to wait on the Lord patiently! (Psalm 38:15) (Psalm 40:1) Even though he asked that the Lord come quickly, God’s time is not always the same as ours. (Psalm 38:22) David sang a new song of praise before the rescue. Praise and testimony of God’s goodness always blesses the Lord and then us! Faith brings us courage to trust God for victory! Action on the word of God begins our journey out of the slimy pits of life! If necessary, give yourself a little slap to remember not to be drunk on your circumstances!