Text: Psalm 40:1-17
In this 2-week reading plan, we are assuming a posture of thanksgiving before the Lord by meditating on ten Psalms of Gratitude. Rather than provide a written response to each Psalm, we have offered a simple yet meaningful activity designed to help us recall God’s mercies to us and through time. So grab a journal, and let’s create our own songs of thanksgiving to God.
Psalm 40
Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.
I waited patiently for the Lord,
and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.
He brought me up from a desolate pit,
out of the muddy clay,
and set my feet on a rock,
making my steps secure.
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 the Lord.
How happy is the man
who has put his trust in the Lord
and has not turned to the proud
or to those who run after lies!
Lord my God, You have done many things—
Your wonderful works and Your plans for us;
none can compare with You.
If I were to report and speak of them,
they are more than can be told.
You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;
You open my ears to listen.
You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.
Then I said, “See, I have come;
it is written about me in the volume of the scroll.
I delight to do Your will, my God;
Your instruction lives within me.”
I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
see, I do not keep my mouth closed—
as You know, Lord.
I did not hide Your righteousness in my heart;
I spoke about Your faithfulness and salvation;
I did not conceal Your constant love and truth
from the great assembly.
Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your constant love and truth will always guard me.
For troubles without number have surrounded me;
my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my courage leaves me.
Lord, be pleased to deliver me;
hurry to help me, Lord.
Let those who seek to take my life
be disgraced and confounded.
Let those who wish me harm
be driven back and humiliated.
Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”
be horrified because of their shame.
Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
let those who love Your salvation continually say,
“The Lord is great!”
I am afflicted and needy;
the Lord thinks of me.
You are my helper and my deliverer;
my God, do not delay.
Dig Deeper:
The Lord rescues us! He turns our cries for help into hymns of praise. Use the prompts below to reflect honestly on life’s dark valleys, giving thanks to God that He thinks of you.
1. When have you been in a desolate pit?
2. How did the Lord set your feet on a rock?
3. Are you in a desolate pit right now?
4. What has the Lord promised to do?
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419 thoughts on "You Put a New Song in My Mouth"
I can always rely on Jesus to be with me!
thank you for lord for being with me in the waiting
The Lord is faithful in all that he does!
God showed me in the past that FORGIVENESS is needed in life. But when I was in “my desolate pit” I didn’t want to forgive. I knew that if I didn’t obey, my marriage wouldn’t have any chance of survival. I submitted, forgave and moved on in continual prayer of healing. For me, not trying to get back at the person who wronged me but to heal my heart and not allow bitterness to creep in. Create in me a new heart and make me an help meet for the one that you’ve entrusted me to. This was a turning point in my marriage and my walk to Christ. Forgiveness is hard but God never said following him was easy. The road leads exactly where he wants me. That’s where I am today.
He makes my steps secure
Lord thank you for always being there for me❤️
Lord you are there for me ALWAYS, you are the rock on which I stand. Thank you for your unconditional love for me!! ❤️
Thank you Lord for walking with me always
Thank you Lord for always setting me on a steady Rock- you!
I love and honour you Lord. I give praise to Your mighty name! Amen
I made the same list! Isn’t is so comforting!
Thank you Heidi and Rhonda J for the suggestions❤️ I don’t have the app so I get to the site via Google. I tried 1 of the suggestions and it worked. Thank you ladies! I am usually here everyday except when I travel. Praying for all the victims of the shootings and their families❤️
HEIDI – That is so tragic! I will be praying for all of them and for your family and others at the school. Thank you so much for letting us know these prayer needs!
KELLY (NEO) – Thanks so much!!!
Heidi–omgosh..wow, that is horribly sad and shocking for the kids and husband, and your small community. Praying for them and the rest of the family.
Oh, HEIDI that is so heartbreaking. Will be praying for that family
HEY FRIENDS – hoping someone still sees this, but i’ll try to post again tmr. The shootings we had yesterday resulted in the one fatal victim being a mom of 2 from our elementary school. It is an unbelievably close community and we are absolutely shocked to our core. Please, please be in prayer for her husband, siblings, and of course her 2 precious littles that no longer have a mom. I just can’t imagine… they spent the day on lockdown then were released saying “everyone is fine and safe now! :)” only to meet an absolute nightmare of a situation when they walked out of the doors of that school. My heart aches for them. As a school and community we will be give support when they are ready to receive it. I can keep people updated who wish to be. Thank you, She’s…
CEE GEE – just send Embrace Grace an email or give them a call. They all are supper friendly and that can help lead you to a group near you or equip you and your church to start one.
YAY RHONDA YAY!! I am so glad… God has used so many things with my husband and I over the years.. podcasts, books, “random” comments made by others even. He has an endless supply of resources and endless creativity in how He gets them into our hands :) The other thing that came to my mind (and it’s soooo old!!!) is a study + video series that Andy Stanley did Y.E.A.R.S! AGO!! I mean, when I watched it YEARS ago, it was OLD THEN!!! lol!!! :) Anyway, it is called iMarriage and at this point I’m 99% sure you can watch the videos free on YouTube – probably can search and find the PDF of the study too… It was just SO practical and made us see our relationship in a more practical, biblical perspective. Maybe it’ll be encouraging to you too :)
LINDA K- If you have any trouble with bookmarking it, another reader suggested searching on Google “She Reads Truth Psalms of Gratitude” and I tried it and it worked! It takes you directly to the site of the study. Just choose the day and you’re off :) :) One other idea is you can select the link at the top of the screen, copy, then paste it to an email to yourself. Then you have it saved that way as well. Hopefully something will work for you :)
Hi Linda K- been missing you!!
If you are on a laptop…first find the study in the SRT, then in the corner of your upper right hand, (on the same line as the link of the page you are on) you should see three little vertical dots..click on that, and go down to bookmarks, click, and it will ask you to save that page. (making a tab, in your most used sites you go to.) Hope that helps? Otherwise you have to scroll through all the studies on SRT every day. The hard part for me is going to remember the DAY we are on…although it does correlate to the date of the month luckily, but…do I ever know the day of the month? or what day I am in? lol??
Pam- Prayers for you my sister, and hugs. Moms have such a deep, special place that are never replaced. But going to be with the Lord is also such a praise and desirable thing, we will be thinking of you.
Molly R—thanks for sharing that.
Cee Gee – Heart emoji
Heidi-I got the copy of Sacred Marriage in the Library—so, SO good!! It is going to be so helpful! To remember that I am to love my husband, even in his weaknesses is crucial and vital!
Mercy-good word as always!
I really was hoping to go downtown to the National Day of Prayer gathering today but my back is really bad from a long day yesterday. But still, feel like I should be there in unison with our great brothers and sisters in unity to Praise our Heavenly Father and pray for our nation. I can’t even remember if I already commented this morning?! Old. I think I did, lol.
I wanted to comment on Psalm 34 on yesterday’s post.
God answers me, delivers me, hears me, rescues me, guards me, supplies all my needs, hears my cry, He is near to me, He saves me, He protects me, He redeems me and He does not condemn me.
So thankful to find familiar Shes! I was challenged finding this study. I think I read that someone bookmarked this study. Could someone give me specifics about how to do that so that I don’t have to scroll through so many studies. Regarding the questions, yes I have been in a pit following my brothers death, almost 33 years ago. The Lord walked with me through that season of grief. He used His People and His Word( someone would send a card, call or a song would play on the radio).I am not in a pit currently. The Lord has promised to deliver us. Sarah D praying for your job situation and your anxiety. Pam C praying for you as you prepare for your mom’s transition. Heidi for your housing situation and for the other requests.
My God thank you so much for the time we have with those you have surrounded us with our lives, and thank you that not one person can leave this earth or stay on this earth for even a second earlier or longer than you permit. ALL things answer to YOUR timing. We all collectively lift up your girl, PAM C, and her family and her mom who will, as we all understand timing, very soon be standing before you as you welcome her home in your arms. As you all celebrate her homecoming in Heaven, we pray for those missing her here on earth and that you will provide the grace needed for each moment and peace that goes so far beyond understanding. We praise you that we – your children – do NOT have to grieve in hopelessness, but that in these times we have the gift of grieving with our Father by our side and the hope of what is to come…
It is in the name of your Son Jesus we bring all of this to you – amen.
KATIE L. – love. that quote. LOVE it. So spot on. It goes with what LEHUA K. wrote as well – we set up camp with our circumstances – in our minds we give them free reign, in our hearts we meditate on them… But no! God is the only one deserving of our praise, our attention, our time, our everything. When we (I!) let fear, anxiety, hurt, or anything dictate to me a course of action, then I have just placed those things as idol in my life. I’m giving them the power to rule where only God has the ability and right. Such good stuff…
I did this last night. Fear of a situation and my shortcomings lead me to almost miss out on an enormously beautiful opportunity to see that GOD is who acts and who is capable to move. Sitting here now today, on the other side of that lie of fear, I can’t believe how close I got to missing out on Him moving and working and my privilege to be a part of it. So grateful for good friends and people to speak truth into my life.
Pam,lifting you and your family in prayer. May your mother experience the peace of the Lord. She is in His hands and under His wings.
PAM C – Bless your heart! Praying now for your heart, travel mercies, relief from the sinus issues, and for your mom and sister. Hugs to you!❤
I found y’all! I come asking for prayer. I’m headed over the mountain with stuffed up ears & sinuses but it looks like it’s time for my mom to go home to the Lord. I’ll try to keep in touch, but there’s no internet there. I don’t know what to expect…my sister was hoping a hospice nurse could get there early this morning. The drive takes me 4 hours & I still have to pack! Thank you in advance sisters. As I’m sitting by Mom’s bedside later I’ll be catching up with all y’all if possible.
Hugs & love to all.
1. When have you been in a desolate pit?
If you’ve ever heard of the science behind the developing brain of young people, mostly that of the 13-19 year range, in terms of brain injury due to sports and the danger it presents, well, I was one of the statistics. In high school I loved sports and played multiple ones all year long. And, of course, I played very aggressively and subsequently sustained a pretty serious concussion. Well, I didn’t give it proper healing time, and we now know that if you receive even a slight injury on an already injured brain it can compound the damage. All that to say that during my senior year of high school the damage caught up with me and spiraled me into a chemical depression due to imbalances in my injured brain. All of a sudden I was a mess of panic attacks, calling my mom to get me from school, laying in bed most days, and contemplating how to end it all, to be free from the swirling darkness all around me. I remember very vividly a panic attack gripping me and running to the restroom at school. I was literally crying out to God, and all of a sudden HE ANSWERED ME!!! It was so tangible! No, the darkness didn’t immediately vanish. It did take months of medication and rest, BUT from that moment on, even in the darkest pit, I didn’t feel alone anymore. And I stopped dwelling on how to end it, and simply focused on the smallest pinpoint of light I saw in the distance.
2. How did the Lord set your feet on a rock?
It’s been over 2 decades since that very dark time. I have had valleys of dark times, and especially the 4 seasons of postpartum after each of my kids. But it’s never been a pit like that again. Just valleys that God held my hand through. He’s been so faithful to keep me out of the extreme darkness like in HS. And He equipped me with a faith that reminds me I am never alone! Now I can be thankful for that dark season, and all I learned about God and how fiercely He loves me, and surrounded me with so many people that FOUGHT HARD for my soul and my safety. It’s humbling to reflect on the depths of His love for me.
As I think of pits and valleys, this came to mind. When we focus on God and how good He is, His wonderful character, how He is for us, thinking of us and turning things into blessings for His glory and our good… it becomes easier to go through the valleys. The Holy Spirit nudges me to keep going, to keep walking through the valley… because no valley will last forever. A valley is in between two mountains- that’s why it’s a valley. If I keep walking, I WILL make it through and out of the valley. How often do I mentally and emotionally “set up camp” in the valley of my mind, replaying the junk, holding on to extra baggage when the Lord wants to take it from me and trade it in for His peace? I must keep going, and as some of my mentors often say, “hold on for one more day.” This phrase fills me with so much hope in my current circumstances. ❤️
VLADA SKLYAR: Praying for you ❤️
Thank you ladies for all your support and encouragement ❤️ I feel your prayers! I’m comforted I’m not the only one!
I am in the midst of a pit right now (which will last until at least of the end of June) but the Lord has been faithful and I do not have the same anxiety and dread I’ve had in the past.
There was a time in my life that i was consumed by panic and anxiety attacks for a little over a year, making it almost impossible to live a normal life. Thank God He delivered me from that pit! Like David I had to be patient, it did not happen overnight as we so desperately wish for change to occur!
Recently I read a wonderful quote that said something along the lines of “I will not exalt myself with anxiety but humbly dwell in the peace and joy of the Lord.” It’s been helpful to recall In the moments I still start to feel the panic/dread/worry creep in.
Thinking of you all and this beautiful community ❤️
KELLY – I also meant to give a shout out of thanks in your current position. Where would we be without Christian publishers?! I do not take them for granted. Thanks for filling that need!
v.16 – But may all who search for you
be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation
repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” NLT
I was mired in a muddy pit of confusion and doubt after multiple losses (family/pets), struggle in my marriage, retirement to a new part of the state and having to start over, having no church home yet.
I called to Him in desperation and He responded by making Himself known to me in a powerful way. He set my feet on solid ground by reminding me of Who He is and He led us to the most wonderful church and people where I am very involved today – a church standing on the solid rock.
He HEARS, HELPS, and DELIVERS!!!
KELLY (NEO) – Thank you for mentioning Embrace Grace! Our church helps a local center so I printed off the information to share. I tried to get info about locations, but it required giving personal info so I didn’t continue. Do you know if there is a chapter in upstate SC?
HEIDI – Big prayers for you this day and much rejoicing in your safety. Thanks, too, for the update on your niece. She has been in my thoughts, too.
RHONDA J – thank you for reposting that… such a necessary reminder. We will NOT see all the hurts and brokenness fixed and healed this side of Heaven, we just won’t. BUT – we WILL get the opportunity to live out His message and calling within the circumstances we are in. It goes with the Psalm today where it says
“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 the Lord.”
Nothing grabs the world’s attention more than when someone is in the middle of pain and yet can have joy and gladness in their heart. It sets such an opposing picture that only our God can make happen! :) :)
KELLY (NEO) –
THAT’S. SO. COOL!!! What an exciting thing you get to do!! I had the task (and turned-privilege) of creating a church-wide curriculum for a class I was in last semester. It was a LOT of work but it opened my eyes to something I had never considered before. I don’t know that creating curriculum is what God is doing (but who knows?!) with me full-time, but it was such a great experience and I now find myself thinking in terms of “Wow, what kind of study/curriculum/guide could be created to help xxxx age group better understand this concept of Scripture??” :) :) What a fun story of how God worked in your life :)
FIRST – in case you didn’t see it, KELLY (NEO) thanks for the pregnancy-support suggestions. We DO have them locally and I sent her the info last night!! :) :)
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“…The Lord thinks of ME…” – it goes back to what we were talking about earlier this week. He thinks of US. Daily, moment by moment, He concerns Himself with our wellbeing, needs, wants, troubles, dreams, goals – no matter how big or small the thing is, it is in His mind and heart and He is working all things together.
“How happy is the one who has put his/her trust in the Lord…” (edits mine) I’m learning this a lot lately. Especially with things beyond my control/outcomes I cannot change. When I can sit back and prayerfully meditate on the fact that NOTHING. is a surprise to God and I can trust what He is doing is not a mistake – then I can move my heart into a place of peace and submission and PARTICIPATION in what He is doing, instead of anxiously fighting Him, worrying, working overtime to take control of what’s happening.
God has used this season of seminary to demonstrate His mind-blowing mercy and grace again and again. As I fail to appropriately commit myself to my work or I accidentally miss something I was supposed to do or just – whatever-, His character has shown up every single time and I’m refreshed and shocked every single time.
I have been in pits of my own digging and pits that others have set for me to fall into. God is just as good and just as rescuing in both situations. He has no desire for my foot to trip (be it from my choices or others) and when it happens, He’s there to pull me out. It doesn’t always look like I expect it to, I’m learning to widen my eyes to all the different ways He chooses to step in. But doesn’t that just show the creativity and care of our God?? I think so…
Lots to do today, lots on my plate, trying to keep that creeping anxiety/fear of not completing things squashed and use time wisely. Working so hard on fighting insecurities of being/feeling incapable to do the job well…
Hope you all have a beautiful Thursday and see His rescue where you are needing it! :)
I thought this was fitting here, which is from the Kingdom study devotion today!
This promise of healing for our deepest, most degrading, and agonizing heartbreaks is the hope the world is longing for. Our most awful pain will be fully healed in the kingdom of heaven. The world is hurting and longing for this truth. We must remember that God loves us and invites us to repent and believe. His kingdom is near, and it is vast, bringing comfort, blessing, and hope. He brings good news to the poor, heals the brokenhearted, brings liberty to captives, and comforts all who mourn (Isaiah 61:1–2). Thanks be to our God and the utter goodness of His kingdom.
Written by Rebecca Faires
GM She’s!
Love that @Kelly!!
When was I in a desolate pit? After only being married (for the second time) for a year and a half, after leaving the town I worked and had lots of friends, to a new state knowing no one, my husband said “I’m not in love with you and don’t think I can be married.” We had a son that was 1.5 and had just bought a new, gorgeous home! I was living my dream, until it came crashing down quickly. I was beyond devastated, alone, and defeated.
How did the Lord set my feet on the rock? I turned to him and pleaded to help me! And I walked with my hand in His hand, and he slowly worked in my life. I only wanted a good husband and to have a family, and 5 years later he brought a wonderful man into my life. My son was only 7 when we met and was ten when we married. (he is now about to be 23!) My wildest dreams of living in sunny Florida have come to fruition in the last 4 years. He is my Heavenly Father, my provider, my all and all, my Faithful and Good Saviour, and I will live for him all the days of my life.
When have you been in a desolate pit?
Working at a job where I felt hostility for being a Christian. For 8 years (don’t panic SARAH D), I looked for other jobs. After 23 years total, I was spent. The job was in sales. I was having my best year ever in the numbers, my husband was recovering from a surgery and my husband’s parents, grandmother, and my dad had all died in an 18 month span, when…
2. How did the Lord set your feet on a rock?
The Lord brought an opportunity to change careers. Now I am working for a Christian publisher. I have the privilege of working with God’s Word and creating disciplship resources for His church-talk about a solid rock to stand on!
Sometimes I don’t feel heard. Especially today. I feel like God forgot about me. I felt like I didn’t matter. I need to be reminded of his faithfulness
Great is your faithfulness to me ❤️
He hears our cries and is there to help!
Thank you Lord for your promise and deliverance. Your grace mercy and protection is unmatched ❤️
Lord you are my help and my deliverer❤️
Great is the Lord, my helper and deliverer!
Praying healing for you and God to cover your family with his wings!
A year ago, I had the worst betrayal of my life, and God felt distant. Looking back, he put me on other peoples heart before the betrayal even happened, and who would become my spiritual apostolic father reached out to me to meet the day it happened. The rest is a long story… but looking back it’s clear. God was rescuing me before I even knew I would need rescue, and in my desolate pit, he was calling me back to him. In fact, calling me into a level relationship with him I have never before had. That betrayal was a blessing in disguise, and Gods hand was at work in all of it. I am so so grateful to God, and realize now He was calling me away from a path He did not want for me to the plan He has for me. You’re a good, good Father, God. Thank you for your protection, and the good work you have started within me. I know, and I trust, you will bring it to completion. Thank you for all you’ve done, and all you will do. I love you, God.
Each time I lead myself to despair, God finds away to deliver me from my biggest temptation. Myself, Praise be to you Lord, who saves me from my despair!
There is no one on this earth that God does not love. I am in complete and utter awe of His love.
That he thinks of me is a mind boggling thought
I wrote a song that talks about this. The God of Heaven, creator of the universe, delights in me…
Yes right now I am facing extreme challenges but I believe in God who sets my feet up on a rock he is my friend and firm foundation I believe he is going to turn it around for his honor in his glory in Jesus mighty name
Amen!! God has taken me out of a pit and set me on a firm rock!! Praise be to God!!
My Lord has promised to always be with me in light and darkness.
He is with us yesterday, tomorrow, and forever ❤️
The Lord honors the desires of our hearts. ❤️
I’ve been in the pit called breast cancer for 9 months now. God has promised me that he has a plan for me and my family. He already knows where this journey will take me and He will lead me every step of the way. I don’t need to be afraid.
Praying for you! My husband has brain cancer, he was diagnosed in September, so I understand.
Praying for you! My husband was diagnosed with brain cancer in Septwmber, so I understand where you are ❤️
God has always been faithful
Thank you lord!!! I know you are going to do great things this month for me!!! You’ve never lost a battle! Thank you for yanking me out!!!
God is so good! He has given me STRENGTH in every pit to PUSH FOWARD. With God, i truly believe ALL things are possible. Thank you Jesus!
He who promised is faithful!!! ❤️
What a great reminder that the Lord thinks about me all the time, not just when I cry out for help during desolate times. “The Lord walks with me and He talks with me…” are verses from a hymn. I can remember my grandmother singing it often. ❤️
The pit is still a hole in my life. I will always have it. I just never imagined that God would get me out and that the other side would be even greater than my suffering.
this psalm is one of my favourites.
♥️
I needed this reminder today as my kids are sick once again and I once again have to stay home from church
I love that in the psalm the author does not spend a lot of time on feeling sorry for himself, rather he spends the majority of the psalm singing God’s praises
The Lord takes thought for me. He is my help and my deliverer
❤️
Share your faith in God with others. Share of His greatness and how He loves us, oh how He loves us! Sing praises to Him and show you love and compassion.
♥️
Amen!
God delivers me from a desolate pit and puts a new song in my mouth, singing his praises with my feet upon rock. AMEN
Love those last few questions and the last one that says “What has the Lord promised to do?”
❤️
Your constant love and truth will always guard me.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Currently my husband is battling for his life. We are savoring each day as a gift and proclaiming that blessing and God’s faithfulness to all who are listening. We pray that God uses our story to make His name great and draw others into The family
5Lord my God, you have done many things —
your wondrous works and your plans for us;
none can compare with you.
If I were to report and speak of them,
they are more than can be told.
He does listen ❤️
♥️
❤️
He has promised to lead me in paths of righteousness for His names sake. He has promised to work all things for my good because I am called according to His purpose. He has promised to deliver me from the domain of darkness and transfer me into the kingdom of His beloved Son. What a beautiful Savior!
His peace is the gift that comes when we trust that He will deliver us! What hope we have in Jesus! ❤️
Thank you for rescuing me ❤️
❤️
Grateful that HE delivers us!
He has promised to calm the troubled spirit and give my mind rest ! ❤️
♥️
Such an encouraging word today and I loved the journaling part!
Hallelujah!
I was once in a desolate pit, as the Lord had His hand in my life. I never seized to stop praising Him for all he has done. Thank you my sweet King. I love you.
You will deliver me from the desolate pit
Praise be to God!!
Put a new song in my mouth!
I am thankful that God is not only my helper and deliverer when I’m in the valleys and need him most, but also in times of peace and rest when I’m on the mountaintop. He thinks of me while I’m there, too, and I need him just as much.
❤️❤️
Thank you Lord.
I’m no longer in the desolate place I was because of God’s Grace and redemption! Sometimes our biggest blessings come from our most painful moments! But he never leaves us! Thank you Jesus!
Thank you Father for being our helper and our deliverer!
I have been a desolate pit at a young age. But when I gave my life to him truly at 19 years old, He has never stopped being my great deliverer, comforter, and my soul’s salvation. I am now 50 years old, and I can honestly say, I have NEVER SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN NOR HIS SEED BEGGING FOR BREAD. He has truly been good to me. It has not been easy, but when you surrender all, He promises perfect peace that pass all understanding.
I have been in a desolate pit this past week. The Lord has renewed my spirit this evening after listening to the messaging in a movie. He has made me realise that he is always there to lean on in times of distress and has given me the firm foundation to continue seeking him and be successful in all that I do.
I have been in a desolate put this week
I was in a desolate pit when I was depressed and anxious sophomore and junior year of high school. God set my feet on a rock when He made me realize I wasn’t alone and placed people in my life that could and would help and pray for me. People who were understanding just like God. The Lord has always promised to be faithful and listen to my cry as I stay righteous and faithful in Him.
God is always there, listening, waiting on us to seek him out and call upon his name so he can help us and set our feet back on solid rock and a firm foundation.
“… you will not restrain
your mercy… your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!”
Unrestrained mercy!! Preserved by his love and faithfulness!! Thank you Lord!!
4Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
I was in my desolate pit when we lost our first pregnancy. I was devastated. But the Lord promised me a plan for my life. I didn’t know what that was but I felt consoled just knowing that there was a plan. A year later, God blesses us with our beautiful daughter, Evelyn. ❤️ I love you Lord.
Thank you for sharing your story. God bless you and your family!❤️
Thankful to have God in my corner
Tonight I needed this scripture
When I was in my darkest self, wanting to die the Lord saved me!! Brought me out of the deepest darkness and brought me back to life!! I am loved & saved because of my Father! Thank you lord for saving me!
I am so happy the Lord saved you!
Lord thank you for pulling me out of the pit countless times and reminding me of your grace and your great love towards me!! What an amazing God and Savior we have!!
ank you Lord for providing for me, thinking of me,loving me and. protecting me. God you are great!!
Thank you, Lord, for hearing my cries at my darkest moment. Thank you delivering me and setting my feet on firm ground. You are faithful, always.
Thank you Lord for always being there for me when things seem so dim. You are my ROCK! I can’t make it a day without you! Help me to always remember your sacrifice and continue to guide me with hope!
Lord even when we are doubtful and in a dark place, we have to remind ourselves that you are always with us. Thank you Lord for delivering us from our dark places. Help us to be reminded that your promises are TRUTH.
Anxiety and worry can bring me into a desolate place. But where true (His) love is, there is no fear. God’s love lightens the road that otherwise looks dark. I can have hope. Thank you, Jesus
When I was in the pit,
Alone, distressed, forsaken;
Your love lifted me out.
When I was in the pit,
Forgotten, discarded, rejected;
Your love gave me life.
When I was in the pit,
Dejected, discouraged, defeated;
Your love gave me hope.
I was in the pit,
Sinking, wallowing in the mire,
Until I found You.
Amen ♥️
God you are so good! Even through the hardest times you show compassion and fill me with purpose.
Thank you Abba for thinking of me and loving me
Thank you Lord for providing me a safe place to live with amazing.
Thank you Abba for protecting me, loving me, speaking to me and never giving up on me. I know you will continue to do this as I come out of that pit and into my full and abundant life!!
Thank you Lord for providing for my family and keeping your promises. You always provide us with what we need.
Thank you Father for promising to never leave or forsake me! I know this too shall pass!
It’s really hard for me to be truly happy where I am right now because I am so excited for my near future; my company, babies, a farm. Lord, give me the strength to be content with what I have right now! Your love and faithfulness preserves me.
God is faithful to save those who hope in Him! Thank You God for your goodness and mercies!
The Lord GOD Almighty continues to guide me and cover me. I can not thank him or praise him enough for all the blessings he has given me!
You hear my cries, you deliver me. I will tell of your faithfulness.
God is with me ALL the time!
God is a good good God! He heard my cries for deliverance and He answered me. Thank you Lord!
Thank you Lord for renewing us. For hearing our cries for help. For bestowing constant love upon us. For guarding and protecting us. Let us rejoice and be glad in You!
❤️
I was in a desolate pit of an abusive relationship. The Lord helped me out alive, He never left me alone to deal or get out by myself. He is faithful.
This is all I have to hold onto right now. My heart hurts and I’m empty. This is my current hope. That all will be well in time through God’s grace
I’m so sorry for your pain. I’ve felt that pain also and seen the Lord’s deliverance – I pray you will too, and soon, if you haven’t already.
Be pleased to deliver His message!!
He pulls us out of the pit and into His arms! Thank you, LORD!
Seems I am in a desolate pit currently. Job is a little unstable and not sure what steps to take next. Financial troubles in our household but trusting in the Lord. I know these times shall pass. This pit seems dark right now but the light shall come soon. Amen.
Thank You Lord for helping me to return to You. I also had put this plan down, not consciously acknowledging it but I did stop reading Your Word daily. Please forgive me, please deliver me and help me from living a life apart from You. Please remove my sins and help me to focus on knowing and loving You more. Please remind me of Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Great are You Lord! Thank you that You think of me. You created the Universe and yet You think of me. I feel so undeserving. Thank You Lord for Your steadfast love ❤️
A friend of mine’s mother just passed away, and I think God put this devotion in my path so that I could share it with her through this hard time. God will always deliver ❤️
Winters are rough and for the past two years they’ve been the times when I push God away the most. This year, it has been incredibly difficult. I previously started this plan and stopped. Today, after two and a half weeks of not reading & communing with God one on one, I decided to pick back up this plan. I am truly blessed to be reminded that the Lord will bring me out of this. There Is a Cloud by Elevation Worship has brought me to tears. I know that this storm will pass.
I completely appreciate your transparency. I am in this place right now! Trying to choose joy no matter the difficulties!!
Thank you for your honesty. My winters have been hard for the past 3 years. This psalm helped me get out of the pit.
Amen Amen. My God is a a saving God, a Protecter, a holy beyond holies. Thank you Jesus for protecting me and setting me up out of that pit. I love you Lord.
I read through these stories and they inspire me, almost as much as the scripture. I’m finding myself in a desolate pit that, no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get myself out of. I’m experiencing great pain in my family relationships and unearthing a lot of pain in my relationship with my sister. I’m asking for prayer that I hang on to God in these moments–I feel so broken that I don’t always believe He has any plan to truly heal me and restore me from what I’ve experienced. I am dreaming every day of the moment I will have my feet on that steady rock, but right now that day feels so far away
I was in a desolate pit for over 25 years… out of fear and shame I had an abortion when I was 15 years old. The enemy kept me in bondage for a long long time. I truly believed that God had forgiven me, but He showed me years later that I had never allowed Him to heal me! He completely set me free and amazingly birthed a ministry out of my testimony along with three other women. We have been serving the Lord now for over 11 years and what God has done within it all is an amazing story of Romans 8:28 in “real life”! Now I find myself in another desolate pit. My husband has committed adultery. I found out this summer and it has devastated our family. As this harsh season drags on I find myself having to turn to God second by second just to be able to survive the pain. Some days I feel like I can’t.. but I can. God is by my side just like He was when I was 15 making mistakes and decisions that Jesus bore on the cross for me. I read His promises daily and I pray and I pray and I stand and I believe. It’s all I can do. I must trust God. He is the only One who can restore and redeem us. People may wonder how I can believe that this mess can ever be okay again; but I KNOW what our great God can do! I know His forgiveness and I know He wants to make my husband new, just as He made me new again. I stand and pray and ask Him to give us a new testimony that can help change lives for His Kingdom, just as my abortion story has. I am thankful that I have experienced solid ground…it is what allows me to have hope. The enemy is destroying families at a fierce rate. But, I serve the great I AM; and I know He is a God of miracles who makes beauty from ashes.
Melissa thank you for sharing your vulnerability and strength. I’m sitting here in the Target parking lot while my little 14 month old snoozes away when God tugged on my heart and reminded me of this app. I was scrolling through when your words were before me. You are a testimony of God’s hope and promise. I’ve been in a pit the past few months and hearing you say “He is a God of miracles who makes beauty from ashes” was exactly what I needed to read. I’ll be praying for restoration for you, your husband, and marriage. Hugs from me to you.
Thank you so much for sharing your story, which is bursting with hope and God’s plan
There have been so many times in my life the Lord has taken me from a desolate pit and put my feet back on to solid ground. I am thankful for His care of me. I am thankful for His care for everyone.
1. Absolutely!
2. My eyes were opened to the truth by some circumstances beyond my control or understanding. I was able to change my ways through prayer and strength from God alone.
3. No
4. He meets us where we are. He comes and pulls us from the darkness. He is our light when we are waking a dark path. He promises to bring us closer to Him as we struggle and deal with our dark situations. He never leaves us. He walks right there with us, gently calling our name back to Him.
Thank you Heavenly Father for being a God of Unconditional Love. Thank you for not leaving us and turning your back on us as we continuously fail you and fall short in our daily lives. You are a God of mercy and grace. You meet us where we are and take our hands and guide us closer to you. You love us in the most beautiful way. You love us with no strings attached. You love even though and in spite of….
Heavenly Father, may your love, mercy and grace radiate from me each day. May it be a reminder of your great love for each of us.
Heavenly Father, you alone are worthy of our praise and our gratitude. Thank you for your love.
Dealing with depression and anxiety that rob my joy. It can be so lonely, especially when others don’t understand or empathize. It can be hard to feel God’s love at these times, but having Psalms that speak to the despair we face brings a lot of solace.
The Lord has promised good to me.
for 6 months i’ve had confusing health problems & what may seem minor to others wasn’t minor to me. i made decisions that were less than smart and paid for it. i was at the lowest place of my life and God worked through my mom and doctors to get me on my feet again. i’m currently on a path of healing and i couldn’t be more grateful. the last verse of the reading really resonated with me as i truly feel like he rescued me.
Every day, God gives me the words of encouragement that I need to face the day. Sometimes it feels like I am clinging to him and sometimes it feels like we are walking side by side; but through all my trials he is always with me drawing me closer to him.
God was there for me when I went through a terrible break up. He literally delivered me from the pit of my despair, drawing me up to see the light and hope which comes through faith in Him. I’m glad to say that while I am starting a new relationship now after years of healing, God taught me patience and reliance on Him through many years of singleness in between. God is good!
I need these words written in my heart and have them echo throughout my day. I’m in a desolate pit right now, really struggling spiritually as I fight through major life changes–motherhood, navigating marriage with a baby, being a sahm after a lifetime of being a working woman. Having a hard time coping with all the changes and it’s good to be reminded to wait patiently in the Lord as He “gives my heart a new song”.
Marisol I can relate to a lot of your changes. Being a first time mommy is hard. Give yourself grace daily.
I recently went through a rough time with friendships, but God was there to comfort me along the way. He showed me that I will create new friendships and even answered by prayers by having old friends reach out to me! God is great and will do what it takes to make you happy! Sometimes you have to go through hard times to find what’s meant for you.
I was in a desolate pit not very many years ago: finances, kids, jobs, weight, spouse, etc, etc. I would read this chapter every day and cry out to God. This morning I’m sitting on the deck of a vacation cabin while my beautiful family (husband, kids, and their spouses) are all asleep inside, after staying up way too late last night talking and laughing. I’m reading this devotion and thinking about how far we’ve all come, and thanking God for listening to my desperate cries. If you are still in the pit, don’t give up! God is listening and making a way for you. And even though right now it may not feel like it, one day you will be able to encourage others after you’ve made it through and have your feet on the rock. In the meantime, know that others are praying for you. We don’t have to know your specific circumstances. Jesus already does
Yes. This season is so hard for me. So much grief and fear. I feel like God has delivered me from so much and yet I doubt Him. I wonder if he really cares for me and my little story. It is good to read the psalms and reflect on his mercy and love. To remember his deliverance. I want to trust his promises but I don’t know if I am hearing them. I long to know his heart for me and feel his love flood through all my resistance.
4 blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!
I have just been really feeling lately that no matter what is going on my life I can trust God to take care of me, and that is the most comforting thing! I also like how in verse 6 it talks about how we don’t need to give sacrifices and he is there for us, we just need to turn to him :-)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He is so GOOD! He’s heard my cries and He’s given me a peace in this season of unknown. An overwhelming peace that no matter what happens, we are going to be ok.
That is so amazing Brit! He is so good!
I love how he puts a new song in our mouths! One second we are crying desperately for help and the next second we are praising his goodness! He is so faithful to help and deliver us
I have found my Hope in Him. He guards me with constant truth and love. Being guarded from the lies of the enemy, from my own selfishness and pride, and reveals Himself to me . How faithful is He!
I’m still finding my way but I know one thing that’s truth and that is He is so good and He is changing me daily!
The weight of depression and anxiety cloud my life daily. It takes every ounce of strength to keep pressing on and not give up.
Essie, those things are not disregarded or taken lightly. When I feel those things I read Psalm 42 for comfort. It’s a relatable passage…”as deep cries to deep…” those words ring so true and pure.
Such a great devotional for me to read on my birthday today! There is no better way to begin my birthday than by recalling all of the ways God has been so tremendously faithful to me the last 24 years❤️ His mercies are new every morning!
Happy birthday, Savannah! So glad to have you in this community with us!
– Stormye
As I read my devotion this morning I am reminded that even though I am tired and weak and my health is failing that I am already healed. Wether it is here or in heaven I am healed by his stripes and I can shout Great is the Lord! I am faithful and blessed because my Father is in control.
Danielle, I pray you feel strong in the Lord today. Your words and faith have given me great strength this early morning.
“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” I’ve finally learned that only joy and happiness can come from trusting in the Lord. There is no other path but to be with Him. Amen!
I feel like I’m in a pit. And I don’t know how to get out. I’m screaming to God asking for help, but I’m so tired. I know he’s there but I still feel so alone. I feel sick asking him for more because he’s already done so much. I’m falling apart and I can’t feel his saving love.
Praying for you, dear friend.
– Stormye
Thank you. I’ve battled depression, self-harm, and self-hate for the past year and a half now. Thankfully God gave me the people and the strength to stop cutting. It’s just times like these where I forget his love and his greatness and sink back into a depression. And yet, God is good. He will never forsake us. Thank you for your prayers.
Bri – what a praise to have victory in Christ! Thanking God for this today and for you!
– Stormye
Bri continue to scream to Him! That’s His desire, that we keep facing Him and giving our positions – pit or mountaintop – to Him. I’m praying that you keep looking up out of that pit, He is faithful.
Thank you for your prayers. And yes, he is faithful. May I continue to believe it forever.
God’s unchanging love is like no other! Thank you father for your compassion and mercy everyday!
I was in a deep pit discovering I had breast cancer while I was still nursing my one year old son. God has blessed me with many people in my life; family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers have helped to lift me out of this darkness. I am going through chemo, working when I can and taking care of my three kids. I am strong because of Him.
Thank you for sharing. You’re right—you’re not alone! I will pray for you. And take comfort knowing that God has a plan for your life. And He heals! He healed my mother from late stage ovarian cancer. He will hear your prayers.
Praying for you! Lean on Him because He is thinking of YOU and He is faithful. Blessings for you and your family. Thank you for witnessing.
Deliver me oh God from these feelings of emptiness . I long for a new song in my heart ❤️ to truly delight in You as You so desire of me. Lift me up and out of this fog . Oh how I miss the intimacy I once so had with You. Reveal the problem Oh LORD so my heart may soar, full of love for You once more. Release me; deliver me that You Oh LORD may be glorified
I am in a pit of so many deadlines, but God promises to deliver me! I just pray for strength to get through it all!
The Lord is incredible gracious and compassionate and goes after us always! His love is so incredible and so filling. He hears us. He delivered me from fear. I suffered from horrible fear and anxiety for over 8 years and he delivered me from all my fears! Thank you Jesus!
I am so frequently in a pit with a seemingly hopeless situation with my husbands work. For 5 years it appears my career has had blessing and he has had only closed doors. This psalm has once again reminded me to keep trusting God and know that he does love my husband and will at some point bring him out of the pit. Until then, I pray for hope and faith. Thank you, faithful father, for your promises.
Praying for gainful employment
Praying for y’all!
I am on the same boat. We stepped out on faith and moved to a new city with a lower cost of living. However we are now both unemployed with 3 children and one on the way. We know the Lord has called me to stay home but a job is just not forthcoming for my husband at the moment. Honestly it’s getting hard to see Gods plans right now.
Pit*
Even realizing and admitting you’re in a put is hard but it brings so much freedom when you’re able to cry out to God to help you. He will save you and restore you. He is always good ❤
Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me; Your constant love and truth will always guard me. For troubles without number have surrounded me; my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my courage leaves me. Lord, be pleased to deliver me; hurry to help me, Lord.
My pit is happening right now as my best friend battles stage 4 lymphoma. Going through this series, I started to notice small daily reminders that God is so good. No matter my circumstance or how I feel, he is never changing!
Praying for you
My pit is getting over a guy I never even dated. It’s harder than any other crush I’ve had! It sounds petty and like a 7th grader but as I grieve “the ideal”, I’m grateful God promises a new song in our heart. I just want intimacy with Jesus! I crave growth closer to him.
God will bless your faithfulness and obedience.
I went through the same thing a couple of years ago. It’s painful and you feel as tho you can’t share it, but he is faithful to lift us up again!
God is so good! He brought me out of my pit and placed my feet on solid ground. When I was hurting he opened opportunities for me to grow and get help. He continues to guide me as I work through this hard time but I know that I am never alone , he is always with me.
I praise god everyday that he brought me out of my deepest put and showed me the way I was supposed to go. I know that me matter what happens I can lean on him and trust foe him to bring me through.
Lord I need you to pull me out of my pit and secure my feet once more. I need you in my life and help overcome the obstacles I have. Help me to sing a new song that I need ever so greatly.
He will help you!! Just talk to him, pray to him, and enjoy his presence. He will act and make you soooo happy!
Suffering from bipolar depression is hard but every day I’m recovering and Jesus is constantly delivering me. It feels so wonderful that God is always holding me.
I suffer from a panic disorder and it’s the deepest pit I’ve ever felt. But Jesus is constantly delivering me. Thank God for these complex minds of ours that he has created and his promise of love and peace.
I’ve been in the pit for about a year, consumed with anxiety about the “worst case scenarios” – my health, my financial security, my future. Ready for a new song. Hear me, oh Lord. Turn my song to praise.
I feel that I have been in a desolate pit. We moved away from our families and friends for my husband to attend dental school. I quit a job I LOVED for us to do this. He was unable to continue with the program and now we are unsure of where to go from here. We took a risk and moved to another state and are having trouble finding jobs that can pay rent and bills. God has provided a generous couple that has taken us and our puppy in for a couple weeks. I have been trying to stay strong for my husband and by God’s strength, I have been able to, but we are waiting patiently for God to deliver us. I know he has a plan for our future!
Chin up! Sounds exhausting emotionally. Praying for you.
Lately, I have been in a desolate pit, dealing with the stress of my sophomore year of college and struggling with being single and lonely.
I know the Lord promises to deliver me, but lately, I’ve been wishing that I could get out of this pit.
Today’s devotional really speaks to my heart.
Thank you, Lord!
I love that this verse describes God as the initiator of change, ” you have put a new song in my mouth.” So thankful that our change and growth is not solely dependent on us!
My pits of despair tend to arise from my “could bes” and “what ifs”. “What if I had a better paying job?” Or “I could be thinner.” The Lord sets me on a rock by reminding me who I am in HIM. And at just the right times He reveals His plan for me, piece by piece. What a gracious and loving Father!
God has always placed my feet on solid ground even when I may not have known it or recognized it at the time. I choose to stand on His promise to never leave me or forsake me. I choose joy!
“When darkness seems to hide His face, I’ll rest on His unchanging grace.” I turned 30 recently and had a meltdown…many emotional issues culminating in the same week. All of my fears and “what if” worries kept me from seeing God’s grace and provision through this rough time. Still in a pit, but praying I focus on what God is doing instead of what I can’t do.
Hey everyone I have a prayer request: my friend’s uncle just got diagnostic with stomach cancer and they are not sure if it is the fatal kind or not. His cousin has the fatal kind. It’s hard for them. Please send prayers his way! Thank you a lot it means a lot!
He encamps Himself around me- He’s always there and never leaves. May I choose to radiate with joy from the hope that comes from His true promises.
Lord help me trust you and surrender to you the fears that consume me. Help me live expectantly for your promises and help me remember that you look to me with love and joy. You want me to be joyous and not broken-hearted. Fill me with faithfulness and focus as I come into this new season of life.
I am struggling right now & have just recently come to be building a foundation for a relationship with God. I know he has a plan for me & I pray everyday for him to help me to trust in him more and more.
God is always so faithful in his love. I am so quick to forget that he has rescued me countless times.
As I struggle with unemployment and financial struggles, questioning where is God’s Will for my life, I can find peace in knowing that God sees and cares. He will see me through this too.
A pit of darkness once consumed my life due to a loved ones addiction. God lifted me up when I questioned my strength. He gave me life when divorce felt like death. He is patient and loving as I still struggle to find purpose out of loss. I know He is my rock and am so grateful that His grace is always sufficient.
The Lord delivered me from the pit last year as I struggled to teach students whose parents seemed to hate everything I did. He made my steps secure by giving me a love for those children despite the actions of their parents. He gave me strength each day to get out of bed and have a positive impact on their lives. He is always faithful to deliver me from my shame and worry and give me peace and joy!!!!
The Lord just got me out of a very dark and lonely place. I wanted to end my life, and I didn’t understand why God made me the way that he did. I was tired of dealing with the pressures and temptations and pain of the world, and all I wanted was to go to be with Him and leave everything in the world behind. But that’s not how it works. We’re all here on this earth for a reason, and God knows what it is even if we don’t. He is so much stronger than we are and sometimes we need to depend on Him, only Him, to see those great plans through. God got me through those rough months to a much more stable place, and I’m seeing now that I am not condemned in Him, that I am LOVED and valued and have a refuge in Him. Thank you, Lord, for putting a new song in my mouth and giving me a place to turn. You delivered me in my darkest hour.
Amen.
Lord, I NEED YOU. I WANT YOU. MY HEART AND MY SOUL ABSOLUTELY DESIRE YOU. I want to feel you moving within me and stirring up a passion to go out and proudly proclaim your love to the world, without fear and hesitation. I am yours. You are mine.
Just prayed for you, Sydney! For this to happen in your life!
Thank you Lord for times of trouble to humble me to follow you. You will provide because you ARE faithful!
What has the Lord promised to do? He is my helper and my deliverer, the Lord thinks of me, he hears my cry and pulls me from the pit. He sets my feet on a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise and helped me to put my trust in him.
God brought me out of the pit of my old relationship. It hurt at the time so so so badly. But now I know it was for the right reason and to get right with Him. All in God’s timing.
Continue to remind me of that, Lord.
The Lord has promised to never leave my side, to give me strength and to deliver me from worry, pain, and restlessness. God be my strength through this time when I need to endure, need to have patience, and need to trust you. Keep my mind focused on you and not my circumstance.
Amen!
The Lord has promised that I put my full trust in Him, he will wash away all worry and anxiousness. He has promised that if I am in constant communion with him, that he will show me the right way to go – clearly and perfectly. And he will be pleased. I am thankful for this psalm reminder of how God is just so eager to show up in our lives. He is our ONLY hope.
I needed this❤
I am also in a pit right now, but am reminded of His faithfulness!! He will not abandon me, even now He is pulling me up and setting my feet on the rock. He sees me, hears me, loves me. Oh how great is our God! Who am I that He loves me so??? THANK YOU MIGHTY LORD!
In the forefront of my mind I know I need to spend more time with God but sometimes in the daily timing it’s a huge struggle. This study has opened my eyes to when & how God is always there waiting for me to lean more heavily on him & not my own pride
I definitely am in a desolate pit right now, it’s part of the reason that I downloaded this app, so that I could be more faithful about spending time in God’s word. This study has already blown me away, and I feel as though God has met me exactly where I am. I hope that through spending this time with God, he will lift me out of this pit.
Also, we need to realize that we can’t get out of our pits alone, God is the only one who can get us out.
I have learned that God gives us the tools to get out of our desolate pits, but it is up to us to use them and apply them to our lives.
I’ve been going through the pit, currently struggling every day to fight the lies that comes in my head and to dwell on Gods faithfulness, love, and goodness even when I don’t feel it or even when my circumstance only seems to get worse. Gods asking me to take steps of faith, painful steps of faith, but my disobedience brought more pain and sin than I could imagine. Obedience is hard and the consequences of my disobedience is painful but the peace that comes w obedience and the learning to trust God part…wow. No words. I feel like I hang on so tight for so long, and when I finally choose to say “I hear you God…ok I’m doing this…I’m going to do what you’ve told me.” He begins to answer prayer, increase my faith, and continues to shape my heart more and more to know Him. Ah such a journey. So bitter sweet. This world has pain with or without God, but with God HE CAN DO EXCEEDINGLY MORE than what we ask or imagine AMEN!
I was recently in a pit and through the encouragement and prayers of dear friends, the Lord brought me out. Now I am working to get my relationship with God back on track. Thank God for his mercy and faithfulness!
I was in the pit a few months ago. Satan was trying to tell me that, because of my past sins and things done to me, I was still the same broken girl, and that I’d never have hope for healthy relationships, that I hadn’t grown or healed.
I wrote out a page of scriptures that spoke truth over my life and heart-like how I am a new creation in Christ and the old has passed away-and read them over and over throughout the day. God’s truth stopped Satan’s attack and pulled me out of the pit, shining light in dark places and freeing me from chains of shame bound around my heart and mind. His Word truly is my anchor and a light for my path.
God’s word is truly our best weapon against the enemy and his lies. I have been doing the same as the lies that come my way are that God doesn’t love me and that Hod doesn’t care since I have been going through some great deal of suffering in my health this past year. I recently became homeless so to speak and am couch surfing right now until I can find a new place to call home. It has been a huge test of faith, but I believe in God’s faithfulness and goodness.
I feel as if I’m in a valley right now. My life feels stagnant at times. We are looking at so many opportunities and changes as a family, but we don’t know which direction to go. We pray and have faith that God will lead us, but the decision remains difficult. All I can do is have faith and even though that should be more than enough, I’m having trouble trusting.
God will deliver no matter what :) and just remember He loves you, so stay positive ❤️
I feel as if I am in a desolate pit right now. For a long time I stopped praying to God because I felt ashamed of my sin and thought He would not want to hear my voice. I was so lost because when I needed God most I was turning away from him. Then I began doing this devotional, and I can feel God healing my soul. No one is greater and no one is more merciful than our God. Praise to Him, my healer and rock.
Amen! Its so important to keep your faith even through the worst of times. God will bless you soon enough! I’ll be praying for you. ❤️
God is so good!
I was in a desolate pit one year ago when I was working for a sheriff’s office under the greatest stress in my life while in a flesh centered relationship with an atheist for the sixth year. The Lord set my feet on a rock when I turned my life over to Christ. He plucked me out of that job and gave me directorship over a family homeless shelter, a job that is filled with blessings, AND he introduced me to an incredible Christian man, who I am now engaged to! One year ago I would have never thought I would be where I am today. Praise God for breaking me so that I would be saved through Jesus Christ. The Lord has promised me many things, but above all salvation in this life and eternity with him to follow.
This is awesome! I love that you are praising God for breaking you, even though it would have felt so horrible and painful at the time, because ultimately you found Christ through it all. Sometimes, and I say this too from my own experience, we need to be broken into a million pieces before we fall to our knees before God and cry out to him. So humbling!
It is so encouraging to hear how God has moved in your life. Thank you for sharing!
Solid ground
The Lord is great!
Thank youu
For I pursued many things in life and by far I’m thankful that you per sued me when I was going astray. f
May God rescue me from my pit
Thank you lord for putting me in a place where I had no choice but to trust you. Thank you lord for using this dark time as a way to show just how bright your light is. Thank you lord for being so good! Your love for your children is so gracious and unconditional! ch
The Lord is the one who gives a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord. Amazing!
After patiently waiting for The Lord……
Thank you Lord for seeing me through some of my darkest days. I want to praise you in good times and bad.
God, I praise you for what you are doing in my life. You are taking me out of this pit and leading me by still waters. You promise to strengthen me, trade my grief and sadness for joy, and you say you have a vision for my life. Thank you God that you never will leave me or forsake me. Man and the things of this world may pass away, but You never change! Praise God!
His wonderful works and plans for me. I need a plan. Yours.
Now more than ever I need God’s mercy. I will never fail to be amazed by his forgiveness.
His mercy! Is so good! He’s a good God!
Dear Lord – please hear my cry! Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. You are my helper and my Savior!
I’ve learned that God’s love and mercy is everlasting. He is here and will always be here. He hears my cries and have not foreseen me.
It is important to look to God even in times when you are in a desolate pit. As well as times of joy. Praise God
The Lord rescues us! He turns our crys into hymns of praise
Lord, do not withhold Your compassion from me; Your constant love and truth will always guard me. For troubles without number have surrounded me; my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my courage leaves me. Lord, be pleased to deliver me; hurry to help me, Lord.
My favorite. Thank you Lord for hearing my cries and knowing my pain. Thank you for giving me courage again to pursue you and involve you in my life everyday. I can do all things through you
It is so easy some days to sing a song of woe…negative, tired, impatient, jealous…God can put a new song in our hearts to praise him and let others see his goodness and faithfulness.
Thank you Lord for constantly drawing me back to you. When I am ensnared in my own evilness, you pull me back into your arms, which I do not deserve. You are so full of grace, Lord, and I praise your name for all your good works. Please encourage a humble heart in me so that I might know that all good things that I do are by your hand.
He is a good good father for continuing to care for me even when I don’t give him the time he deserves!
God is always with me and will never leave me. He has promised to continue to love me and to provide for all my needs at the right tie.
Time*
Thank you Lord for seeing past my sinful and selfish ways. Thank you for saving me from the pit many times. Your deep love for us is overwhelming
Love Psalm 40:2 and the imagery that goes along with it!
Dear God, I want to thank you for bringing me out of my “pit.” You placed me on solid ground and lit a lamp under my feet to get me going. I know that in all things you will remove me from tough situations and the snares of the wicked. So this morning all I want to say is “Thank You!”
Thank you God for my open ear
You are a good good father
Thank you!
Thank you Lord for helping me to get out of the pit and onto the rock. You’ve made me realise so many things and I am so grateful to be completely open to you once againagain
Humbling to reflect on my pits in the past and see the ways I was pulled out and set upon the rock.
unbelievably thankful for a God that stepped into our situations to rescue us. what greater love is there than that? he came to give us purpose and to prove that His way is greater. to prove that we don’t need his approval because he already loves us more than we can imagine. the God of the universe chooses to step into all of our pits and put us back on solid ground because of his unconditional love for us. wow. completely humbled by this tonight!
Wow!! This really hit home for me today. Thank you Lord for Psalms 40. I was in a deep, selfish, pitiful pit some time ago and the He raised me out and planted me on His rock and He has a plan for me. His love and truth always protect me. ♡
I always forget my priorities when Gods the one that gave me all these amazing blessings in the first place!
When I’m juggling the children at home I struggle to always prioritise spending time with God. So as I sat down to have my lunch in a moment of peace and quiet with all littlies asleep, I was prompted to spend my time wisely and put God first. Then I read this psalm. The very psalm that God used to call me to Him, now nearly 9 years ago.
He hears us when we call out to Him, he doesn’t require any offerings or anything from us, but he opens our ears to hear the gospel. Now, even though I struggle at times, I live with the assurance of being saved by grace alone. He has put my feet firmly on the Rock of his salvation.
Thank you Lord, for always thinking of me.
*such encouraging words
Love this. It makes me feel so great to have such encouraged get words right in front of me. PRAISE THE LORD!!!
The study questions really got me today. Most of 2015 was “desolate pit” and thought I’ve, through His help, managed to get out of it, I feel myself on the edge about to fall in. My prayers is that God will continue to put a new song in my mouth like He has for the past few weeks and that even in the valley, I can find peace through Him and praise Him!
This study of Psalm 40 has encouraged me this morning! Thank you Lord. God doesn’t necessarily always remove us from a bad situation, but He can give us new eyes to see in that circumstance! Though it still isn’t ideal to suffer, it is so refreshing to lean on the Lord for strength and to know He is thinking of us!
One of my best friends passed away 4 months ago and it has been incredibly hard to be happy and trust the Lord in the dark moments, but, God keeps reminding me that he hears my cries and he is turning them into songs of praise because he is working all of this for HIS glory!
Lord, thank you for hearing me.
Lord, thank you for setting my feet on firm rock, and delivering me. How great Thou art!
ddelivering m
Thank you God for bringing me into fellowship with your son Jesus, and with you! I know that I have eternal life through Jesus, and my faith in him allows me to win these battles I face against the world. Thank you for pulling me out of the pit, for showing me the areas in which I was making a practice of sinning. Forgive me for this, Lord, and give me a true love for you; let me keep your commandments for I know they are not burdensome. Let my heart delight in loving you, in keeping your commandments! In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Let those who seek to see me disappointed and snatch away my life be turned to dishonor for delight in my hurt!! So powerful!! Let The Lord take these crushers of my spirit away, and I will continue to pray for those who delight in seeing my hurt as well as others!! AMEN!!
God’s constant love & truth will always guard me! That’s amazing!
This is so relevant to my life right now. I have been in a desolate place trying to battle on with chronic health complaints for so long, years upon years only getting worse, and in the last few days, it’s like God has bust the gates wide open. He hasn’t burst in and miraculously taken away the pain but He has shown me the path to hope, not in specifics, but like He has flooded my eyes with light. You are my God, and I will put my trust in You, My Rock and My Redeemer ✝
So happy you are experiencing relief, at least spiritually.
Almighty Father, thank you for bringing me out of the pit of despair. My husband and I want to have a baby but it doesn’t seem as easy for us as it is for some of our friends. Lord, you have helped me train my thoughts away from the swamp of comparison and what if’s and onto your sovereign power. Help me to keep my mind and heart fixed on You, so I don’t fall in the pit again. You have promised to love every detail about me, and You hold my whole life in your hands. I love You and trust You, Lord. I pray that my patience is rewarded, in Jesus’ Name.
Amen Emily, peace and grace to you in the name of God who never fails us xxx
Lord thank you for this word. I also feel like I only turn to God in times of turmoil. I’ve been guilty of making every excuse, not enough time, im tired, etc…. Lord you’ve been too good. I am making a more conscious effort to get up earlier and give God more of my time. God im asking for more of you and less of me. This series is teaching me to praise more complain less and glorify God at all times.
God, I ask for a changed heart and your saving grace
It seems here lately that I have been struggling to make time throughout my day to spend with God. I keep putting other things in my life before him, and this past Sunday morning at my church I felt convicted of how little of time I spend with him currently. My pastor was doing a sermon series on prayer and it has helped me realize that I don’t talk to God enough, I don’t come to him as much as I should, truthfully it feels like here lately I only come to God when I need something. God has convicted me and I have been spending more time in prayer and reading his word, I am feeling good about this year. I hope that throughout 2016 I’ll be able to keep a healthy relationship with God :) !!!
Hi Natalie I have been feeling the same way. At first I didn’t understand why my relationship with God was backsliding but then I relized I hadn’t been spending time with Him like I had before. My goal is to start my day with the Lord and just talk to him throughout my daily life. I will pray for you. God bless
I have been in a pit for months. It seemed that through this is have fallen away from my faith. I try so hard to get back to where my heart is right but I am struggling. Placing my heart in the hands of God is my ultimate goal in 2016. I need to let go and let God. He will not leave me and I must return back to him.
Praying Sydney!
Prayers!!
What I have learned in strengthening my faith is to need God in good times and bad times. Not just cry out in need, but praise him daily. And know that he hears me, and makes changes for me.
I am currently in a pit. It can be a desperate place. Praise God that I do not have to be in despair when in my humanness I am tempted to do so. He lifts me up sets my feet upon the rock, he heals and he delivers. I’m standing on his promises as I feel him hold me close.
Praise God that you are looking forward to Him Shannon! I pray that you will know God’s peace and presence, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. I know from personal experience and God’s promises that He will be there for you – always! Love in Christ to you sister…
“He turns our cries for help into hymns of praise.”
He really speaks to us in just the right moments. Thank you God for speaking to me today, and allowing me to praise you in a time of darkness. Continue to CLEARLY speak truth to myself and others. I pray for listening ears and an open, receiving heart.
I work everyday to let go and let God. I tend to overthink, over control etc. I ask that God assists me in trusting his master plan.
Lord, I come to you today finally admitting the desolate pit I have put myself in. I thought I was doing okay on my own, but I can no longer do it on my own. Lord give me your strength and your peace so that I may stand on your firm foundation. Lord wrap your arms around me and my family and friends that they might see past the hurt I may have unintentionally cost because I was hurting. I am prone to wonder but you never leave, thank you Lord. I love you Lord.
Hi Kathryne, I can relate. I pray we both rely on Jesus and deepen our relationship with Him. His mercy is never-ending.
I’m currently in a pit and really struggling trusting in the Lord & putting all my faith in His plan for my life! Lord please give me the strength I need to put all that I need to in You! I thank you for all you do for me!
Lord, I pray that you would assist Katie in putting her trust in you. Help her let go of fears and struggles and give them to you. Amen
You aren’t alone Katie! Jesus is Victor!
The Lord showed me what forgiveness, love, and fellowship looked like even when I was in a desolate pit. Through Him alone can we grow and know true joy and love. Praise the Lord for his strength and the strength He gives us.
Just this morning I was discouraged. I had to remind myself that I have been through worse. I prayed to Fid to remove the way I was feeling and thanked him for what he had done and will do.
I have known desolation of spirit. Every time, God is faithful and full of mercy. Everything I am I praise him for.
I just told a non believing friend my story. This matches it so well. Really it matches everyone’s. She’s intrigued about how the lord can rescue her from her despair. Pray with me ladies! I see the spirit softening her heart to the truth!
Praying for you and your friend, Taylor!
The best thing about being in a pit of despair of sorrow of sadness is that God is always with us and if we just remember that at that very second he is interceding, praying for us to the father on our behalf. And we remember that he experienced everything we’re going through and he is sad for us and loves us so much this brings great comfort. And we know that all things work together to those who are called according to his purposes, not ours. Also that he has plans for us still even though our plans seem to have fallen and broken. We can choose to trust him or freak out and try to change things ourselves. But he knows best my friend. Wait patiently for him….. He really is faithful.
when we are in the pit with no strength that is where we meet him. He uses our weaknesses as strength. full reliance in him equals a flow of the Holy Spirit through us
U2 has written a song inspired by these verses called “40”. I would highly encourage listening to it while meditating on this passage.
I was in a pit when my mom was drinking heavily a few years back. I self medicated with drugs and boys. In July of 2013 I prayed for the first time to a God I wasn’t even sure I believed in at the time. I cried out to God that I wanted a relationship with Him and a man who would bring me closer to Him. I now have the strongest relationship with God I have ever had and a soon to be husband who loves me and God with all his heart. I will forever be grateful to God!!
God can do exceedingly abundantly all that we could ask or think
I’m struggling with a minor back injury. It has been a challenge some days to function at the pace I am used to. I’m physically exhausted and overwhelmed on the days it’s really aching. But in it, I’m learning to accept help from others, my husband in particular. Also, I’m feeling compassion for others injured. I’ve been blessed to not really have any injuries since childhood and so this has opened my eyes to our fragile-ness. I’m thankful I have a wonderful care provider who is helping me recover. It’ll take time, and I’m thankful the Lord is trying to show me how to grow in this, to be a more patient and compassionate child of His.
God has proven on infinite occasions that if I yet trust him with situation he will bring me out!
I have been in a pit of negativity in my job since August. I am clinging to this promise of rescue, Lord! I know you will turn my cries into songs of praise! I will trust your wonderful plan!
As a new mom it is easy to fall into a ‘pit’. I constantly second guess myself and wonder if I’m doing enough. It is reassuring to know that God is right by my side through it all. He is actually walking beside me and helping me through this time. I’m so thankful for a loving God.
Me too, Erica!! Praise Him!!
old mom’s feel the same way. we trust His path for our kids even when is not what we’d like to see and we trust we are their parents for a reason with all our strengths and our many sins as well. my pit now is wishing they would appreciate me. even in that, we trust or lives are hidden in Christ and His thoughts are for me. be encouraged.
Almost daily I get consumed by what is going on in life and everything negative that could happen and I feel like God has shown me through this study that he does have it in his control and he will take care of me, my family and my foster children. Even when it seems dark, God is still in control
Thank You, God, for your eternal love and faithfulness! Even in my sin, you have loved me and delivered me.
I am so grateful for this study! I am a first year teacher planning a wedding. I am experiencing so many changes in my life. The anxiety and stress of it all has really take over my life these past few weeks. Every devotion I have read so far seems to be speaking directly to me! God is delivering me from my anxiety each and everyday! I am learning to give him control!
Love this psalm! Perfect. Thank you for challenging me to dig deeper
How Timely! Especially needed to hear vs 9-11! Thank You Father! Thank you SRT!
as I read this devotional I think about the people of the Bible in there time they were prosecuted for there believes and then I think about today in our world we to are in the same situation. I thank God for his loving mercy.
Beautiful thought – he thinks of us!!!
I have been in some very dark pits, but knowing that the Lord supported me and heard me in those times makes new pits in my life seem not so dark. It makes them manageable and seem less lonely and dark.
❤️
Praying for our brothers and sisters across the world who are in pits deeper and more dire than we might ever know. Also praying for my brothers and sisters in Christ here who are needing deliverance from their pits. We serve and worship a mighty God!!
The pit is never somewhere that anyone wants to be but it’s reality- in this fallen world that we live in we are going to have struggles, but our Anchor and Refuge holds us secretly in His loving arms!
securely*^ :)
I love this Psalms study so much. The digging deeper questions are so helpful in furthering my study.
And verse 2 is exactly what jumped out at me when I first read through the psalm. Love that that is what we were digging further into.
This a really good, soul-searching devotion. I’ve been feeling plagued by old sins and Satan’s constant lies from my past since last. I’ve feel like I’ve been wandering for so long, and I just need focus again on Jesus above ALL.
Erin, I have been in the same boat. Thoughts of previous mistakes, sins, and even just embarrassing moments have consumed my mind recently…. Like I can’t shake them off. These thoughts have brought me so much anxiety and shame. I hope that in the weeks since you’ve posted, that you have been able to focus on Jesus above all. I’m praying for the same in my life and thought process.
I am enjoying this Psalm study immensely. Thank you so much for the heart behind what you do!
Thanks for joining us, Jennie! We love having you in our community!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Oh, I’m well acquainted with pits. Ones I dig for myself, others I fall into unexpectedly and even some that come back so I can drop right back in them again. I KNOW pits. But I know one thing remains, even in the pit; My most recent pit brought my marriage to a broken place last year. Since I’m in business with my husband, it also majorly affected our family’s finances, so, double pit. Around this time last year God spoke to my heart as I was hopeless in despair. He said to me, “if all you have is all that I AM, will that be enough for you?” And it took me long enough but I said YES — if all You are is all I have, that WILL be enough for me! So I started singing from that place of desperation. For me that looked like blogging about our family’s struggle and clinging to the hope of Christ in my posts. And wouldn’t you know it, He was right in the asking — all He is is all I need. Today my life looks different & i’m in a much happier, solid ground place — but I NEVER want to lose that dependency on Him! May we be like babies relying on our Father to guide our first movements in life, and may that desperate need for Him spur us on to good works for His glory. That’s my story in a nutshell; I’m loving reading all of yours today!! ❤️
“if all you have is all that I AM, will that be enough for you?” This question brought me to tears as I looked to my Abba and said yes as well❤️ Kylee, thank you for such a beautiful post and sweet reminder of how good our Daddy is:) praising Him with you today, I’m glad you are in a happier place and thanks for sharing! Love and blessings to you!
I think we’ve all been in a desolate pit at one time or another. For me, it’s a process getting out. But the promises of Christ gives me hope each day to crawl towards the top. Giving thanks for those promises today.
Ladies I would love your prayers today. I am meeting with a friend of mine who is definitely in a pit right now. I have not been looking forward to this meeting cuz I know part of what she is going to tell me and it’s very sad. Please pray that I will know the right things to say to her. Thank you!!
Pam, prayers for guided words, heart filled with love and God’s comforting arms around you both.
Prayers for you, Pam, and for your friend. May God use you to bring peace in this situation for your friend, may He bless the words of your mouth.
Since I began my journey, Psalm 40:1-3 has been a passage that I have truly put my heart to. I have been having a hard time with true commitment and really letting go to trust the Lord. This morning, I felt low and broken. I was crying out to God in my prayers, saying “Please, Lord, give me faith! Please give me the grace and wisdom to trust You and Your plan, please instill in me Your spirit!” When I opened my eyes to that passage on my screen, I saw the last lines: “Many will see and fear the Lord, and put their trust in him.” I realized that I had been asking him to do these things, to draw me up from the miry bog, to set my feet steadily upon a rock of truth, and to put his song in my mouth; but all the while I had been resistant to letting him in. This morning, I’m beginning to understand that he is truly here for me, and that what I need to do is accept that He has control. I continue to pray that each day he will renew this truth in my heart.
EmmaElaine, He IS truly there for you, and He has your best interests at heart!! I don’t believe anything happens by coincidence, and today this passage was written because He KNEW you needed to see it. I’m so thankful our Father illuminates the parts of His word we most desperately need to read, what a gracious God we serve!! So glad you are here worshiping with us today!
Hi friends! Loving this study today and would greatly appreciate your prayers. In an attempt to speak openly and freely about my faith with coworkers, I feel I may have put my foot in my mouth and ended up not doing a very good job of witnessing at all. Will you agree with me in prayer that the lord will open the eyes and ears of the ladies I work with and soften their hearts to the truth of his gospel? I am the only believer in my workplace and while it’s a great mission field it can also be discouraging. I know that the lord hears my cry and he thinks of me. Praying that the ladies at my office would know this truth too.
Praying with you Kellie
Praying with you Kellie. Sometimes it is through our actions more than our words that we best witness our Christianity. Though this may sound like a contradiction, if you are in the States, please be aware that there are workplace laws that discourage witnessing in the workplace unless you have been approached and no one in the common area is uncomfortable by your witnessing. It may be best to have faith based conversations outside the common work/break areas. Anyone that wants could file a complaint against you for creating a negative work environment based on religious beliefs. I always kept a verse that inspired me on my desk and avoided office politics that were contradictory to my faith, I asked permission to pray for those in distress and did little thoughtful things when I could. This often led to faith based discussions at restaurants during lunch. This way I could work within the freedom of religion workplace laws and my calling to witness. Hope this helps you.
Pam, prayers for guided speech, heart filled with love and God’s loving arms around you both.
Sorry–responded to wrong post.
I’m praying with you Kellie. And like TGBTG said, our Christian influence is the best way to witness! Be the peaceful presence in the room, keep your heart open for opportunities to pray for your co-workers, and engage only in uplifting conversations at the office & you’ll be amazed at how much room that gives God to MOVE. Not sure if this helps but someone once said to me “God doesn’t need a street team! He wants the way we live our lives to speak on His behalf!” And I think it’s the most true thing I’ve ever heard about witnessing at work. BE the witness. He’ll take care of the rest. Bless you for caring about your coworkers!! ❤️❤️
Kellie, I’m joining you in prayer today, asking God to go before and behind you in all of your encounters. Praying He would provide His encouragement and strength!
xoxo-Kaitlin
Before SRT, I responded to pits of desolation with anger, hostility and resentment. Today, pits of desolation call me to His word.
For that, I give thanks.
Giving thanks with you, friend! It’s such a joy to read Truth with you each day!
xoxo-Kaitlin
1. When have you been in a desolate pit?
Many times. Most recently, I was in a horrible relationship, that deep down I knew I needed to leave, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
2. How did the Lord set your feet on a rock?
I asked for his guidance, a sign, anything to convince me to either leave, or to stay put. Well, long story short- He made the answer loud and clear so I couldn’t miss it. I thank Him for that everyday.
3. Are you in a desolate pit right now?
No. And I give all my thanks to the Lord for that. I am truly blessed.
4. What has the Lord promised to do?
To take care of His children, whom believe and rejoice in Him.
I will strive to follow David’s example and try to praise the Lord, even in the darkest of times.
Amen!
Sisters, can you please join me in prayer for another walking in Christ? My best friend is about to give birth to her second child while facing the reality she will likely leave her husband. She has been in the pit for a long time, having difficulty forgiving herself for past mistakes and stuck in a dark place. I shared my story with her about God pulled me out of various kinds of addiction that she too has lived through. I pray this helps motivate her to lean more on Him so she makes the best decision for her and the future of her children.
In my prayers.
Sweet Joanna, I’m praying right now for your friend, that God will intervene!
God, I ask that you will bring healing and rescue. I ask that you will surround her with your angels and speak truth into her heart about your grace on her and your deep love for her, in spite of all that has happened. I pray for her kiddos, that You will be a father to them no matter what, that you will guard and protect them. Praise you, Lord, that you know her situation and you long for her to be free! In Jesus name we pray. Amen
She is in my prayers.
Prayers for her and her family.
Ah the sweet testimony of pit-release !
The waiting for rescue is Not. Much. Fun. But Your hand reaches far and Your arm is strong. You come when I call out. And so… I have a new song! No longer a lament but a SHOUT of praise for the strong God who sees, hears and delivers. I trusted in the Lord. He is trustworthy!
I’m so happy! I can’t keep quiet!
The next time I’m in the pit, I will wait and I will call out and I will know that You are coming. You always come! Thank you! Amen!
Verse 5 is what stood out to me. I am always amazed that the God who holds the universe in His hands, orchestrates everything, has time and desire to think of us, His children. He loves us so much. If I can,through the Holy Spirit, remember that single truth, it changes everything.
Thank you for the guided prompts. They have really helped me dig deeper.
Thanks for sharing your heart with us today, Christa! So glad you are here!
xoxo-Kaitlin
I love Psalm 40. A few years ago I was going through a big life transition that required stepping out in faith. I’m a worrier/planner/control freak by nature and was pretty much freaking out with all of the uncertainty.
God put Psalm 40 on my heart and I clung to it. I read It continually and had U2’s “40” pretty much on non-stop repeat during that time. Looking back, I can see exactly how God was pulling me out of a pit and giving me a firm place to stand – more secure and steadfast than I could have even imagined.
The verse: “In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear….” caught my attention. How beautiful to know that God delights more in listening to us than anything else! Sometimes when I am in a pit, I get trapped in the lie that God doesn’t hear me, that I can’t serve him anymore because I’m too deep in my own self pity, sin, etc…but he hears us, and he is MORE concerned with us talking to him and deepening a relationship than anything else.
Yes! Verse 6 caught my attention also. I like it in the Amplified Version.
Oh, have there been pits. Some riddled with the muck of other’s sin around me and some filled to the brim with the stink of my own. I’ve thought about those seasons, especially the ones where the heavy weights of shame held me in place and the muddy fingers of guilt kept my feet from climbing out. Those dark places had me hiding from the opening of those desolate pits, keeping my face out of the light, leaving me feeling that I should just die in those spots. The desperation I felt each time clinging to me, the tears overwhelming me because I chose to walk my own paths and fell into these pits each time, but God with His merciful love came to the opening and called down to me. He called me into the light. Even in those times I was too overcome with sadness and shame to move closer to Him, He’d gently encourage me, waiting for me to come and without fail He lifted me out, dusted me off and placed my feet back on the solid ground of a sure path. There wasn’t a day the Lord didn’t walk with me and even when He’d see my feet tarrying a different direction He didn’t leave me. He would walk slowly behind me, letting the stench of my pride separate us, but only so I wouldn’t resent His insistence. He would follow, like a parent keeping a safe distance from a child with their first taste of freedom, ready to run for saving the minute pain of any sort came into the picture. And so as I came out of those pits of desolation, God promised me love, grace, mercy and victory from even myself and my own wretched ways. He whispered sweet reminders of His hopes for me, provided tools to keep me walking upright and told me that even when His path narrows like the wretched edge of a cliff, He is there, He will not let me fall. He helped me to see that those tight spots are seasons I can close into Him. I can set my back on those mountains and my feet on that narrow way, holding His hand, fingers entwined, with one hand on His arm and my eyes closed. Clinging close like a child afraid and because He is a great Father, He bears the weight of those burdened paths with me, talking sweetly as we move, so that I might keep my focus on the tender sound of His voice. He has never failed me, He will never fail me and on Him I can set my heart, my eyes and my future. Without Him, the muddied pits would be my home. A permanent resident in the darkness of sin, but because He loves me, I am free to walk in the light! ~ B
Beautiful. Thank you! So grateful for your words. Xo
Amen amen amen! I love this, especially the part about us straying off and Him watching close over us at a safe distance. He’s always been there with us
Amen. Thank you. These words touched my heart this morning.
this. me too. thank you for sharing.
One of my most desolate moments was experiencing my miscarriage. But in it all I knew God’s hand was at work, I just felt the Lord’s presence. Although far removed from the Word at that time in my life, I heard His whisper to trust Him completely in His time. He continued to hold onto me as I struggled through that trust and I found myself pregnant again soon after with my daughter. May I look on her face daily as a reminder of God’s greatness & of the the beauty in His gifts to us; His blessings in our lives. And to remember that all He desires of us to to just come into His presence… No frills, no fuss, and with no works of our own to show. But rather with an open heart ready to receive blessings and to use those blessings to speak to the world of His greatness. To remind those who find themselves in the loneliest of desolate pits that they are not alone and that God’s beautiful blessing is just around the corner.
I don’t usually write on the SRT comments section but I feel God prompting me to. He has someone in mind for this. My prayers are with you and yes- He is talking to you. Much love.
THIS … “He desires of us to just come into His presence… No frills, no fuss, and with no works of our own to show” Love! Beautiful testimony CB! ~ B
Thank you for sharing this! I had a miscarriage in September and I’ve been so heartbroken. I don’t know whether God will bless us with a healthy pregnancy soon or not. The uncertainty about what will happen can feel overwhelming, but there is one thing I am certain of: He doesn’t leave me here in the pit to be sorrowful and afraid. He teaches me new songs, fills my heart with peace, and draws me out of my sadness and closer to him. God is good on the peaks and in the valleys. I can grieve as much as I need to, but I never grieve alone. Praise Jesus for this tremendous gift!
“I can grieve as much as I need to, but I never grieve alone.” Love this.
I love this Psalm! I have been in a desolate pit- trapped by secrets and shame and fear, completely alone and totally stuck. So scared to step out of hiding- sure I’d be rejected, and held back by so many lies.
Yet God was there, and in that desolate pit- is where I found him. Faithfully loving, gently shining his light into the darkness and speaking truth into the lies, giving hope and gradually prompting me to open my heart and to trust him.
And then he helped me out of the shadows. “He led me out into a spacious place. He rescued me because he delights in me.” (Psalm 18:19) He gave me hope and confidence and freedom and joy.
I wouldn’t say I am in a desolate pit right now, but I am bothered by various anxieties and worries and uncertainties. I need to look to God’s mercy and unfailing love, to remember his help in the past, to rejoice in his promise never to leave us or forsake us and to know that he is faithful.
I love how you said that it was in the pit that you found Him…He was there to help, to pick you up and to help you grow as a Christian. If we didn’t have these trials we would never know the power of our great God! Paul said it was when he was WEAK that he was STRONG. Wonderful testimony today, Carly. Binding those anxieties and worries in the name of Jesus and loosing peace in their place today by the authority of the Word of God!
So thankful, Carly, that you open your heart. I learn so much from the words you write.
The activities have helped me think a lot and reflect. But I am still struggling…going through a very trying time where I am clinging to God but can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Pray for me Sisters that I will hold on to Him and wait to see Him come through, it’s been tough and there are days like today where focusing on Him is so much harder, the questions of worth, blame and confusion are so much louder, the feelings of frustration and weariness so much more intense. I feel like I’m complaining and the enemy has tried in so many ways to keep me quiet but I need prayer, so please pray. God bless!
Ms Buckman…Good morning….,
Alongside this I am playing catchup on an old study…this is the prayer for today’s study..
Perfect Father, help me in this struggle, this battle, Satan constantly reminds me if my imperfections and my weaknesses, but I ask You to remind me of Your perfection, Your love and Your closeness so that I can always walk in victory…I ask these things in the mighty and promise- filled name of Jesus..Amen.
Ms Buckman, singing praise to our God for you, and praying this alongside you this God given day..
Know that God is with you dear child of God…xxx
Thank you so much Tina!
Thank you Tina. I sent this prayer to my sister. She is struggling with an abusive marriage. I always appreciate your shares!!!! Thank you for being a light for me. xo
Prayers for you Ms Buckman, that He will make himself known to you until you are able to trust on your own that he is there.
Thank you Renee :)
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.…(Romans 8:1,2) Condemnation doesn’t come from God. The enemy just wants to confuse and keep you hindered by putting those thoughts in your head. He only has the power we give him, trust me, been there done that and still forget it sometimes!! Take authority over him by the Word of God. Pray it out loud and claim it as your own.The Bible says to submit yourself to God, RESIST the devil and he will flee. He has to flee! Praying over you today for strength in the Holy Ghost even when you can’t feel God or see Him…He is there! ♥
Thank you!! Great words!!
Thank you!!
Ms Buckman I am prayerful over you this morning. Prayerful that these wretched lies of the enemy don’t stick. That when you are overwhelmed by these moments you know that when you have nothing else to say, no weapon to throw, all you have to say is “Jesus”. At the sound of His name, these things lose all power. Prayerful that you are surrounded by peace and confidence of your place as a daughter of a great and victorious King. That you do cling so tightly to Him that the enemy has the impossible task of going through Him to get to you. That you know you are free today. Free to stand up and know that you are worthy because of Christ’s righteousness, that there is no blame because Christ took it to the cross, that there is no confusion because in Christ all things are clear. That you know He knows your frustration and weariness and He wants to exchange them for peace and strength. That He knows there are times the race wears on and we are dragging our feet to the finish line. Know that He runs it out with us and even when we feel we will fall short of that line, He will gift us all that He has so that we make it. Ms Buckman, you are greatly loved and He doesn’t want you feeling the burdens of these words, there is light and it is He. Praying that you are well covered today and that you know you are not alone. ~ B
Thank you so much B!
Thank you for being vulnerable enough to ask for prayer! So often we try to go it alone when there is such power in the intercession of others. And so I’m praying for you right now Ephesians 3: 14-21.
Thank you!
Prayers for strength. Like the others have said focus on God. Give Him all the attention and glory. When you feel pulled into the pit, raise your arms and voice in prayer, He is there to pull you back up. I am about to move into 13 mos of transition before I have a home again. Sometimes I feel panic, but that is when I stop and reflect on all I have to be thankful for and focus my thoughts back to my Father and His blessings. This will be a time that I can use for good or wallow in temporary loss. I choose good because I know the gift the Lord has blessed me with at the end of this phase. Ms. Buckman, together we can pray for each other and make it.
Thank you! Praying for you!
mmmm that’s good!
oh Jesus. please let this child of yours feel your love and embrace right now. reveal to her, the things about her that you delight in the most. let her feel beautiful, powerful, and spotless and free. give her discernment, enable her to spot manipulation and lies, give her the will to reject them, and the faith to step out in to what you gave called her. be with her, let her hear you calling her name, reminding her that she is Yours, and that nothing on this earth can remove her from your embrace.
I faltered today…hit by a panic attack from an old addiction…eating disorder. this psalm was meant for me today.
Praying strength and Grace over you Sarah..You are His and He is yours…His love and loyalty will always keep you safe and secure…
Bless you…xx
May His goodness and mercy follow you today and may He wrap you in His arms. Remember, beautiful lady, that you made in His image and you are PERFECT just the way you are!
Amen! He rejoices over you with singing! Zephaniah 3:17
As I started reading today’s devotional I was led to listen to the song below by Bethel music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPlQ642NJ2E
Funny I started answering my questions from bottom top and as I listened to the music and reflected, I realised David was speaking life into his situation. He starts by praising God then you realise by the 5th paragraph he is a desolate place. But it did not stop him from speaking life into his situation by thanking and praising God. we should always declare His goodness and mercy no matter where or what we are going through – I pray for God’s grace to be able to do that :-)
1. When have you been in a desolate pit?
often!! :-) in and out, especially when I am anxious.
2. How did the Lord set your feet on a rock?
(this was the most interested one for me, did more reflection here) my first answer was,Through His word/love..gradual long process I found myself..then I thought, He thought me how to forgive and live purely
3. Are you in a desolate pit right now?
No! but I have been (then I cancelled out as I listened to the words of the song). but my past is behind me, only goodness and mercy is chasing me down.
4. What has the Lord promised to do?
+that goodness and mercy will follow me.
+His faithfulness is forever
+He says, Ï will never leave you nor forsake you”
Awesome!
Thank you for that song – I needed to hear it and be reminded. I pray that I will always be able to see His goodness and mercy in all things, and praise Him even when things are bleak
Thank you for this testimony.
So true, David hits a major rough patch but he won’t stop singing! Loved your comment today.
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
The Lord IS great.