“I waited patiently for the Lord to help me… He lifted me out of the pit of despair and set my feet on solid ground… He gave me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God… Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord.” Psalm 40:1-4
Heavenly Father, what a story this Psalm tells—from the pit of despair to robust singing. Though our “pits” differ from King David’s, we can relate to his helplessness, and long for his joyfulness. Meet us where we are, and take us where you please.
Some of us are in a messy-story pit, with no clear resolution insight. Good people—your people often experience the same situation very differently. Bring your grace to the fraying edges of our waiting, patience, and kindness. The “err on the side of mercy” isn’t to err; it’s to trust you.
Others are in a fearful pit of failing health—ours or someone we love. Some are in what they wouldn’t call a pit, but a crater or not-so-grand canyon of marriage or parenting despair. Some are watching a friend(s) jump into a pit with a shovel in hand, to dig the pit even deeper. Father, thank you the Gospel provides all-pit grace.
Lastly, some of us might be in an old or new pit of poor-choices—the consequence of an unguarded heart and soul-drift. We haven’t disowned you, and much more importantly, you haven’t disowned us. But the feeling of disconnect is real, and the way home is unclear. We grieve our sin, blame no one, make no excuses. Abba, grant today’s mercy, fresh grace, and the welcome you promise. So Very Amen.