Prayers from the Pit

Answer me quickly, O LORD, O my soul;

All my inmost being, praise his holy name…

…He redeems my life from the pit

and crowns me with love and compassion.

Psalm 103:1-4 (NIV)

            Pits are deep. Pits are dark. Pits are lonely. Joseph was thrown in a pit because he prophesied (Genesis 37:24). Daniel was tossed into the lion pit because he prayed (Daniel 6:16). Jeremiah was lowered into a pit because he preached (Jeremiah 37:6). Jonah was sucked into a pit (Jonah 2:6) because he pouted.

            The trouble with pits it’s that they're deep and we usually can’t make it out on our own. Joseph’s soul was in anguish while he lingered in the pit (Genesis 42:21) He pleaded for rescue, but his calls went unanswered – by his brothers, that is. But God heard his cries. There is no place on earth, no pain so great, no sorrow so dark, no pit so deep, where God isn’t present. He hears our anguished souls cry out, “save me!”

Though the pit seems dark, God sees us. Though the pit seems lonely, God is with us. Our pit may be deeper than others, and the length of time we linger there might be longer than some. But God never leaves us there. He always brings us through those times of trial. And He always redeems our pain for His divine purpose.

            When our anguish is so great, we can’t see past it, it’s crucial to remember God does, indeed, care for us. When the time is right, He will rescue us. He doesn’t throw us a rope and say, “Good luck. Hope you’re strong enough to pull yourself out.” No, He reaches down with His nail-scarred hand, grasps our hand, and lifts us up out of the pit.

            Keep your eyes lifted upward. Help is on the way.