Hallelujah, Christ Arose!

Get Out of the Pit

Scripture Text

Psalm 40:1-4

Intro: We all have times in our lives that things just seem to get us bogged down. David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit tells us in these verses what he did when he found himself in the “pits” of life.

I. The “pits” of life are unavoidable. All of us find ourselves in a pit from time to time. (1) Like Joseph we may get thrown into a pit.

(2) Like David , we may slip into a pit. (3) Like Elijah, we may find a pit and jump in. (4) Or, like Job, we may just realize that life on earth is the pits!

The question is not will we face pits in this life, but the question is “what will we do when we find ourselves in the pit, in the low places in life?”

II. What to do when we find ourselves in the pit. Psalm 40:1 (NKJV) I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

Don't take action on your own. When David was in the pit he waited patiently for the Lord to deliver him at just the right time. It is hard to wait! But while David waited, he prayed and refreshed himself with God's word. David cried out to the Lord in prayer and the Lord bowed down His ear to hear his prayer. God heard and helped him. When we find ourselves in a pit, we must pray and read God's word, and claim His promises as we wait patiently for the Lord to hear and deliver us from our pitiful situation.

III. Believe God will deliver you. Psalm 40:2 (NKJV) He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

When we pray and read God's word, claim His promises, God will bring us out of our horrible pit. David says in Psalm 34:19  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. Who else has the power to bring us out of our pit? Just as God delivered David He will also deliver you and I.

He will help us out of the pit, that circumstance or situation we find ourselves in. He will set our feet upon a solid rock, the place of strength and safety that we find in the Lord Jesus Christ. As long as we keep our focus on Jesus and God's word we will be established in the path we need to go. We will always find the help we need for every situation we may find ourselves in.

IV. God will put a new song of praise in your mouth. Psalm 40:3 (NKJV) He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

David said, He has put a new song in my mouth; by giving me new occasion for a song. God's miraculous deliverance of David out of his horrible pit gave occasion for him to praise God.

Others Shall see it, they shall observe God's wonderful mercies granted to me.

And fear, people shall stand in awe of God, because of His deliverance from our pit. They will see He has so great a power to save from trouble and they will give Him that reverence, and worship, and obedience which He requires. This fear shall not drive them from God, or bring them into despair, but shall draw them to God, and they shall trust in the Lord. They Shall confide in God; and put their complete trust in him; and shall become His true worshipers and friends.

V. God blesses us when we totally trust in Him. Psalm 40:4 (NKJV) Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
Total trust is when one makes God his security, and who knows that his security for happiness and salvation is in God and nowhere else. We don't look to the proud and haughty of this world that think they know it all and want us to follow their advise. We don't turn aside to those who are full of lies.
We don't even lean to our own understanding. David gives us wise advise as he speaks under the influence of the Holy Spirit. He says to totally trust in God. So Let God be true and every man a liar. Let us be totally committed to God and obey His word.
Conclusion: Have you allowed the pit moments to define your life? Refuse to feel comfortable in the pits. Refuse to throw pity parties. Say goodbye to pitiful living. Jesus came out of the grave so you could come out of the pits. The same power that brought Jesus out of the grave will also bring you out of the pit. Call out to Jesus and wait patiently on Him, and He will deliver you and establish your steps.
Invitation: If you don't know Jesus as you personal Savior and Lord, you are in a pit you will never get out of. That pit is hell for an eternity. You can avoid the pit of hell by confessing you sins to Jesus and asking Him to forgive and save you. Don't delay for you may never get another chance to be saved.