Remember The Pit To Realise The Grace

Psalm 40:2 (NIV)—

‘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.’

As we read this verse together, I imagine it will stir up something different for each of us. There will be some who feel as though they are deep in the pit, treading through the mud and mire, unable to see a way out. Others may feel as though they’re on solid ground, secure and safe.

However, one thing we can all say, is that we have all at one point or another been in the pit. We all know what that feels like in our own personal way. Whenever I read this passage, it quickly draws to mind the many pits I’ve fallen into. In some ways it can feel quite traumatic to recall those moments. But I believe there’s great value in doing that.

When we recall the pits, we also need to grasp the truth and the promise of the firm place to stand that inevitably follows. This is the story of our faith, the gospel in which we root ourselves. ‘I was lost but now I am found, blind but now I see.’ * It is in remembering past pits that we get a full picture of the amazing saving work of Jesus Christ, our firm foundation.

Let's remind ourselves again that we have been saved by Jesus. He has lifted us out of our slimy pits and has set our feet on a rock that never shakes or crumbles. Let’s take a moment of thankfulness for his grace. Pause.

In doing so I hope that those of you who are in a pit right now will find some hope in the knowledge that the pit is always followed by a firm place to stand.

PRAYER – Jesus, today I think of your saving grace. Remind my forgetful heart that you will always lift me from the pit, that you will always bring me from darkness to light. Thank you that I can stand firm when I stand on you.

*Song: Amazing Grace