Tag: slimy pit
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!
Out of the Slimy Pit!
Scripture reading for June 11th: Psalms 36-41
“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. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in God.” (Psalm 40:1-3)
It is not easy to wait upon the Lord when you are in a slimy pit full of mud and mire. I don’t know about you, but I would want out, and fast! We are not told the location of this pit or exactly how the psalmist got into the pit, but we do know that he had been crying out to the Lord for help and mercy.
From the context of the psalm, David had gotten himself into this pit as a result of troubles and sins that had overtaken him. (Psalm 40:12) His last and only hope was help from God and David asked for that help unashamedly. He confessed that he was poor and needy and asked God to think of him. He confessed the Lord as his help and deliverer. He sought to worship the lord and honor Him by calling on Him for the help he desperately needed. (Psalm 40:17)
The last days will be times of suffering and difficulties for Christians. Some will fall away from the faith and be caught in slimy pits of their own making. This Psalm offers encouragement to us and a simple solution. Call upon the Lord! A simple cry to Him for help brought rescue to King David. God lifted him out of the mud and mire and set his feet upon a rock. He also put a new song in his mouth that lifted praise to God’s throne instead of the cry of misery! As the world watches and sees God’s deliverance, many others will be saved as well. Our trials and slimy pits can be a source of evangelism when we wait patiently and trust wholly in the Lord!
Drunk on the circumstances!
Scripture reading for June 11th: Psalm 36-41
Some people seem to be depressed all the time. A heaviness and a cloud of negativism hangs on their life and their conversations. They can’t seem to move into a positive attitude. They seem to live in a pit that holds them in spiritual bondage. They are oppressed and in need of deliverance! When I talk to someone with this attitude, I sometimes tell them to take their open hand and slap their face and say to themselves, “sober up–you are drunk on the circumstances!”
David’s psalm 38 is such a record of depression and desperate circumstances. David is sick in body with festering wounds because he has sin and guilt in his life. He has back pain that penetrates his being. (Psalm 38:5-7) He is feeble and crushed in anguish of heart. People avoid him because of his wounds and there are those that are plotting his ruin and destruction. He has trouble hearing and speaking in response to those who hate him! God is called upon to help, and quickly! (Psalm 38:22)
In Psalm 40, David states that after patiently waiting on the Lord, He heard his cry and responded by lifting 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 our God! The man who trusts in the Lord will never be put to shame!
Some practical advice for dealing with depression and heaviness comes from these psalms. First, David told the Lord exactly how he felt in body and soul. Honest evaluation and casting on the Lord all our cares is a good thing to do. Notice how the Psalmist always comes back to faith and belief in the Lord. (Psalm 38:22. 40:17) Second, patience is necessary in trials. 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) Last, David sang a new song of praise after the rescue. Praise and testimony of God’s goodness and deliverance always blesses the one who does it and then blesses the Lord who came through!
Even before the answer came, the psalmist was praising God! Why not apply these truths today if you are in a pit? God loves to save and deliver! Action on the word of God always brings new life and opportunity to move out of the slimy pits of life! If necessary, give yourself a little slap to remember not to be drunk on your circumstances!