He lifted me out of the Mud!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”
Psalm 40:1-2

How deep are the ruts in your life?  How stuck are you in sin patterns, in nasty habits of selfishness?  How pervasive is your bitterness, your anger, your hurt?

And how often have you tried to pull yourself out of this sticky mess, as the saying goes, “by your own bootstraps?”  How many times have you started out with firm resolve that, “Today will be different!”, only to end the day in the same slimy pit of despair, guilt, and hopelessness?

Who will rescue you from your miry pit?  The answer is, “The Lord”.  When you cry to Him, He will lift you up out of the hopeless place, He will set your feet upon a rock, He will give you a firm place to stand.

It all begins with acknowledging that I am indeed stuck in my sin and I cannot rescue myself.  I must look to the Rock that is higher than me.  I must admit my helpless estate, and cry out to the Redeemer.

And He will save me.  Why?  Because of His great mercy in our Lord Jesus Christ, who came down into this slimy, mired down, sinful world and rescued me from my sin.  He was cast down into the earth, buried for three days, that He might rise again and lead you and me into life and joy and salvation.

In the midst of your sin and hopelessness, He will hear your cry.  And He will lift you up, up to the Rock of His salvation.

Lord, save me.  For the sake of Your great mercy in our Lord Jesus Christ, save me.  You are my only Hope. Amen.

Picture and Text Copyright Steve Nickodemus