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 the Lord and put their trust in him.
(Psalm 40: 1-3 NIV)
Recently I found myself in the pit. In May of 2019 my dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer after being cancer free for just one year. For months we fervently prayed for healing and a full restoration of his physical body. Although he experienced deep emotional and spiritual healing, he went home to be with Jesus on Christmas Day.
I remember crying out to God, “Why? You are God, capable with just one word, one breath to heal. Why didn’t you hear me?”
For months I waited for God to answer me yet found myself in a pit of pain and confusion.
This past summer I decided to dedicate my attention to the book of Psalms. When I read the first sentence of Psalm 40 my entire focus shifted. As I read David’s words about his experience in a pit, I found myself deeply moved.
Like David, God sees us when we are stuck in the unsteady pit of pain and confusion, then turns his ear to us with unwavering attention as we wait for him to move. He delivers us onto solid ground and walks with us closely to steady us, until we are confident in the promise he declares over us.
Therefore we can bear testimony of his faithfulness and have others in turn trust him by simply witnessing the power of our faith. Even if the outcome is not within our human understanding.
Although God’s outcome wasn’t the one I would have chosen for my dad, the realization that God heard me and still hears me has shifted me out of my pit onto steady ground where he is walking close to me. This has since steadied my weary heart and brought confidence in my relationship with him.
Some of you have been suffering for a long time buried under impossible circumstances. Today your Heavenly Father wants you to be delivered from the pain of your pit.
He hears you.
Journal / Reflection Questions:
- Are there areas in your life where you feel as though you are in a pit? If so, have you felt confident that the Lord hears you? That he will deliver you? Meditate on the character of God in Psalm 103:1-12.
- Consider praying this prayer out loud: Dear Jesus, I am your child and I receive the gift of being made in your image. Draw close to me when I’m feeling that you are far from me and unheard. Please remind me that you hear me and are not flustered, angry or disappointed with me when I ask the harder questions. Help me to feel close to you while I wait for you to deliver me from my pit. In Jesus name, Amen.
Esther “Annie” Rhoades is a mom to three, wild and free kids and has been happily married to her best friend, Jon, for over 10 years. Annie values experience over things and loves yoga with worship music, diving into the word, hosting, thrifting, making healthy goodies, and traveling.