Mud. According to how you view mud…it can involve lots of fun, or it can be a complete devastation.
When I was growing up, we purposely saturated the ground to make mud so that we could make mud pies. Childhood imagination was/is a wonderful thing. Another mud-fun activity took place when I was younger and continues with my boys today is going mudding. We would hop on the three-wheeler (now four-wheeler) and zoom through the mud while slinging it all over the place, ourselves, and onto others. Many laughs have occurred while mudding.
Getting stuck in the mud, isn’t a fun thing. That involves calling for help, working your way out, and often there is a price to pay. (And THAT has happened numerous times.)
There are those disasters that involve mud. I couldn’t imagine living in an area where mudslides are prevalent. I remember when I went to Guatemala years ago, we could see the affects of a previous mudslide as we were flying into the airport. It had destroyed small villages. My heart ached for those involved and prayed that they were able to escape.
Unfortunately, we can generate “mudslide devastations” in our own lives.
Often times, you may be going down a slippery-slope, having the time of your life, and maybe even making a few mudpies on the way down. But don’t get caught up (or should I say down) in the pit, and enjoy wallowing in the mud. Rise above.
On my way to church Sunday morning, I was praising God through songs and praying for specific individuals regarding devastations in their lives. A common thread ran through their issues…addiction. My heart was heavy, and prayers were intentional.
The sermon that Sunday was preached by a visiting pastor from Romania, Dr. Paul Negrut. He had no idea that I had just written a journal entry titled “Look Up”, and that the prayer requests I had brought to the cross that morning was regarding people needing to get out of a pit in their lives. But God knew!
The title to Dr. Negrut’s sermon was “Look Up”. He shared God’s word from Psalm 40:1-8. Read for yourself and see how God orchestrated the whole thing:
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
3 He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
5 O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.
6 You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand[a]—
you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
7 Then I said, “Look, I have come.
As is written about me in the Scriptures:
8 I take joy in doing your will, my God,
for your instructions are written on my heart.”
Like I mentioned…God knew!
Here are some highlights from my sermon notes (Dr. Negruts’ thoughts, and most of my own.):
Are you in a pit?
- An emotional pit?
- A spiritual pit?
- What is your slimy/muddy pit?
What can you do when you are in a pit?
- Look down to see how deep? No.
- Look around and see the mud? No.
- Look up? YES!
Cry out to God. (verse 1)
When verse 1 references that David waited patiently, that is a hint of a while to wait. It will come. God is working while you wait. Be patient.
What did/does God do:
- Turned to the person praying (v.1)
- Heard the prayer (v.1)
- Lifted the person in need (v.2)
- Set their feet on solid ground (v.2)
- Steadied their walk (v.2)
- Gave the person in the pit a new song (v.3)
Through your struggles, and faith in God, others will see and trust in God. (v.3) He will turn your test into a testimony.
Verse 6 says, “You (Lord) take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that You have made me listen, I finally understand.” Don’t just talk to God…LISTEN!
In the end, JOY COMES!
In the above photo, I truly did get stuck in the mud! I attempted to get on my own, but to no avail. I texted this photo to my boys and said I needed help. Help came, Cole pulled me out of the mud, and all was well.
It is my prayer that whatever your pit in life is…gossiping, excessive use of alcohol, drugs, bitterness, unforgiveness, impure thoughts, sex outside of marriage, anger, lying, etc…LOOK UP. Cry out to God. He will do all He says He will do and has done before. Look up to The One who can and will pull you out of your pit of despair and into more joy than you can ever imagine. Be strong in the Lord. May your test/struggle/pit, become a strong and glorious testimony for the Lord!
Don’t despair or try to get out on your own. Call out to God for help and allow Him to get you out of the pit you’re in. Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
