SLIMY PIT
That man will encounter trouble in this life is guaranteed. While we would like life to be a steady stream of happiness and pleasure, it never is. Interspersed with the joys are the sorrows, disappointments, failures, sickness and anguish. David describes how deliverance occurs from the slimy pits of life in Psalm 40.
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.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. (v1-4)
David begins and ends this song with what he recommends for one in the slimy pit- waiting for the Lord and trusting in Him. Panicking, turning to false gods which can include money or ungodly people, and aligning with the proud powers of this world are what should not be done. Rather, there is value in trusting God and waiting patiently for him to deliver you and he always comes good. Trusting God also means we acknowledge that God has allowed the slimy pit in our lives and that he will accomplish all that he meant to through the circumstance, including inculcating humility and character.
God begins by delivering us from the slimy pit. The picture is one of a deep hole, filled with slime and dirt, too deep down for us to hoist ourselves away from, a quicksand experience. Only a rescuer can set us free and God does it in his time, in the best possible manner.
He goes on to set our feet on a rock- a picture of stability. He does not rescue us and then allow us to stand on a slippery slope, rather brings the maturity and strength to move forward and away from further slimy pits that threaten to ensnare us.
What follows is praise as he replaces the anguish within with a song of praise. No human experience can be akin to praising and worshipping God; and one who is able to worship, is truly in sync with God.
This ultimately leads to witness as we use the slimy pit experience to counsel others and lead them to Christ. When God delivers, man is filled with a wondrous fear, that attracts him to God and enables one to place trust in God.
The slimy pit is difficult to endure, but on the other side is worship and maturity.
