Rescued From Miry Clay

Daily Devotional – Friday, May 26, 2023
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.
Psalms 40:2 (NKJV)

Imagine falling into a disused well that has little water but a lot of spongy earth. This marsh or bog sticks to you like glue. The stench in the horrible pit threatens to choke you. You look up the hole but there is no one to rescue you. You call but no one answers.

He Brought Me Out of a Horrible Pit

David is in such a situation symbolically speaking, when he writes the fortieth psalm. He states, “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps.” (Psalms 40:1-2).

David’s difficult situation is comparable to a pit with miry clay. Though we are not sure exactly what the psalmist is going through, we can glean from his words that only God could rescue him. The word ‘cry’ implies David is in pain and longing for immediate rescue and release from his troubles.

He has Put a New Song in My Mouth

Note, however, that the troubled man cries but also waits patiently for the Lord. It is possible this is not the first time David has been in a symbolic horrible pit. Through experience, he knows God has His own timetable and does not necessarily answer our petitions exactly as we desire.

Eventually, God rescues David from the miry clay. He lifts the agonizing man from the pit and place him on a rock. The overjoyed man exclaims, “He has put a new song in my mouth. Praise to our God. Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD.” (Psalms 40:3).

Set My Feet Upon A Rock

As believers, we will undergo similar experiences in our spiritual life. Life will sometimes be unbearable because of myriads of challenges. The natural thing to do is to turn our eyes heavenward and call on God because only He can rescue us from the horrible pits on our lives.

Moreover, while we wait upon God, we need to exercise patience. God’s timing in always the best. It will also help to reflect on the way God has led us in the past because seeing His footprints in our troubled pasts will fill us with hope and courage.

Rescued From the Miry Clay

In addition, when God saves us from life’s miry clay, it is behooves us to ascribe glory and honour to Him. Many are the times when we forget to thank God for listening to our cries and setting us upon a solid rock.

Today, if you are in a difficult situation, keep calling on God. Let you cry reach Him day and night. As you do so, be patient. Trust that He will rescue you in His own right time. Finally, when He eventually saves you, break into thanksgiving and praise, and let everyone know what the Lord has done for you.

Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father, I praise and glorify you for rescuing me from the miry clay countless times. Today, give me patience to trust You as You work Your purpose for me.