“I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.” Psalm 40:1-2

From the Pit to the Rock

Once upon a time there was  a girl who was mired down in a deep, dark pit. She could look up and see the light, but was unable to get out into it. As time went on, she became aware of a “figure” or person above her who would often come and look down at her in that pit, but never offered any help to get her out. This girl was very critical of him and wondered why he didn’t just throw her a rope and pull her out, or why he didn’t just jump down there with her to give comfort and companionship. Then one day “at the appointed time” he threw a pick down to her. Her first thought was, “Oh, that’s just great! Thanks a lot, now I can dig myself in even deeper!”

But, soon the girl began to use that pick to make steps, which enabled her to climb out of that deep, gloomy pit of hopelessness and despair. As she ascended out of the darkness into His marvelous light, how she delighted in this new freedom!

Now let’s look at the spiritual parallel. That “figure” was the Holy Spirit hovering over her and the “pick” was the Word of God (Jesus). God heard her anguished cry and rescued her.

I was that girl. The Lord rescued me out of that horrible pit, and gave me abundant and eternal life. However, many times after my conversion I would find myself back in a “pit” because of sinful thoughts or destructive habit patterns. But the difference now is that the Holy Spirit was no longer hovering over me, He was within me, a constant companion with me in the pit. (He will never leave us or forsake us.) At times in that pit He would say things to me like, “Where is your hope?” or, “Forgive that person!” or, “Repent of your pride, self-pity and bitterness?” or, “Trust Me!” or, “What do you know that’s true?” or “Think on these things….” He was guiding me to take those steps to freedom—steps of repentance and obedience.

When the gospel is “given”, a person can either receive and obey it, which results in a new life of hope, freedom and joy; or they can reject it and become even more bitter, which results in continued bondage and misery.

Jesus said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46).

Lord, Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. You are the rock of my salvation and my fortress; therefore for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.