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Thursday, October 31, 2013

Flying with Thursday's Word-Pit by Brenda Smith, part 1

WORD:    PIT
DEFINED: Deep dark hole in the ground.
SCRIPTURE: "Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness" (Joel 2:13)
Let me start this week's devotional with these words: Pastor Ray preached on “Pits” Sunday and the Word stayed in my Spirit, so this is what I have to add to share with you.
We have this innate need to punish ourselves and then attempt to climb out of a pit on our own. But each futile attempt results in our slipping back to the bottom, more frustrated and discouraged than before.  No one is able to get up out of these pits on their own.  If we could...then why do we cry out!  Someone help me! As we lie there in our pits, bemoaning our helplessness and depravity and remembering with great sadness and regret how God once used us and the joy that accompanied that service, may we also remember the great truth that only God can pull us out of that pit -- and He stands ready and willing to do so.  Joel reminds us that God is never-changing and He is the one who redeemed us. We all land here on occasion, but WE DON'T HAVE TO STAY THERE!!
We learned that Daniel was in the fire, the focus was not on him, but the Lord in the fire with him. Job was in the pit, but we read chapter after chapter of him talking with the Lord. David wrote many of his Psalms about the Lord when he was in various pits. Paul exclaimed, "Who will rescue me from this body of death?" His answer was Jesus. We are told we will have tribulation and suffer for being a Christian. Therefore, the pits in life should not embolden our faith because they prove it. It is proof Jesus is right.  I would prefer you ask yourself this important question while in your pit....."Lord, what is it I can learn about You in this pit?"