“I will exaltyou,Lord,for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.” Psalm 30:1-4
Life is filled with highs and lows. There are seasons when we celebrate victories, and there are seasons when we wonder if we will ever recover from our pain. And the world we inhabit, constantly is changing, more than the human mind can sometimes absorb without feeling overwhelmed. Even the bodies we live in are changing relentlessly, despite modern science’s attempts to prolong youth and extend life indefinitely.
Every one of us will experience moments when life seems to pull us into a pit. It may be the pit of grief, disappointment, rejection, failure, sickness, loneliness, betrayal or uncertainty. And pits come in many forms, but they all have one thing in common: they challenge our faith — and tempt us to believe — that our life’s story is over!
But the good news of the Gospel informs us that God has never allowed a pit to have the final word. Throughout scripture, whenever God’s people found themselves in a pit, God stepped into their situation with power, presence, and promises. God brought Joseph out of the pit, David out of despair, Jeremiah out of the miry dungeon, and Jesus out of the grave! So, if you find yourself in a pit, don’t lose heart. Keep trusting. Keep praying. Keep believing. For the pit is not our destination; it is only a season.
God can turn places of despair into platforms of praises for His glory. God can even transform pain into purpose, pain into praise, trials into testimonies and mourning into rejoicing. This is why we can lift our heads in hope! For we serve a God who specializes in bringing His people from the pit to praise.
What the enemy intended to bury us with, God will use to build us up. What was meant to silence our testimony — will become the very reason we give God glory! Regardless of our past, whatever our yesterday looks like, trust God and God will work it out.
Sure, David experienced many ups and downs, triumphs and sorrow as anyone. But in all those things, David is — referred to in the Bible, as a “man after God’s own heart.” He kept his eye on God. When times were tough, he cried out to God in frustration. When God was faithful, David lifted his voice — in praise! He would get so excited — until he danced out of his clothes! In that God lifted David; and raised His Son, Jesus from a borrowed grave, surely, He could bring us “from the pit to praise.”
Rev. Marion J. Miller is the senior pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church, 1201 Thomas V. Bryant Drive, Jeffersonville, Indiana. She is also an associate district superintendent in the Southern Rivers District. She may be reached at 812-283-3727 or via email at wesley1201@sbcglobal.net.
