When we lived in Montana our home was out in the country on a dirt road. To be more specific, the composition of the road was more of a clay base than a dirt base. When it rained, things got sticky.
I used to walk that road most every day, even the rainy ones. On those days I needed to watch where I stepped, keeping my feet on drier ground. It was not uncommon to break through the upper layer, sinking into the mud. On more than one occasion I had my shoe pulled right off my foot. Now, I find it humorous but then, I was not amused.
Have you ever had an experience where you were stuck in the mud? Maybe you weren’t literally stuck but possibly, figuratively stuck.
Stuck in a job that’s not meant for you; stuck in an association that isn’t healthy? I have good news.
“ I did not give up waiting for the Lord. And He turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the hole of danger, out of the mud and clay. He set my feet on a rock, making my feet sure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and will put their trust in the Lord.
4 How happy is the man who has made the Lord his trust, and has not turned to the proud or to the followers of lies. 5 O Lord my God, many are the great works You have done, and Your thoughts toward us. No one can compare with You! If I were to speak and tell of them, there would be too many to number.
6 You have not wanted gifts given on the altar in worship. You have opened my ears. You have not wanted burnt gifts or gifts to cover sins. 7 Then I said, “Look, I have come. It is written about me in the book. 8 I am happy to do Your will, O my God. Your Law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the good news about what is right and good in the big meeting with many people. You know I will not close my lips, O Lord. 10 I have not hidden what is right and good with You in my heart. I have spoken about how faithful You are and about Your saving power. I have not hidden Your loving-kindness and Your truth from the big meeting.
11 O Lord, You will not keep Your loving-pity from me. Your loving-kindness and Your truth will always keep me safe.” Psalm 40:1-11 NLVs
As I read these verses this morning, my mind went to those times of being physically, literally, emotionally and spiritually stuck. Stuck in worry and anger, stuck in a job where dishonesty and deception were the norm, stuck in a defeated life spiritually.
Did you notice the last line in verse eleven? “Your loving-kindness…will always keep me safe”. The hesed of God, his loving-kindness is our safety.
I am so grateful that God in His love pulled me out of the mud and set my feet on the Rock of His Word.