Dr. Dianne Coflin
Co-Pastor, River of Life Church
We’ve heard people say “Wow, I was sure in the pits yesterday when this or that happened.”
Maybe someone received bad news, or maybe they were just overwhelmed with circumstances! Did you know the Psalmist David spoke of being in a horrible pit?
He described this pit as tumultuous (loud and confusing) and destructive. In Psalm 40:1-3 (AMP) he declared how the Lord drew him out of that pit.
Maybe you have been struggling in a place physically, mentally, or spiritually that feels like you’re in a pit much like David. He said that “He cried unto the Lord!” Did you know God is the one to run to in time of trouble? He is the only one with the answers you need. In fact, David goes on to say that when he cried unto the Lord he waited patiently.
We live in a society where everything has to be instant. We have lost the art of practicing patience. Believe me, it takes practice and some people are more apt than others. Nevertheless, it is so important to practice patience, as David did, when coming to the Lord. He didn’t get frustrated in a few minutes and walk away, mad at God, as some do! Instead, David “waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord” (Ps. 40:1, AMP). You will note that David was not only patient but also expectant. This implies that his heart was filled with excitement that something good was about to happen!
You see, David’s attitude of heart, though troubled, was confident that God would hear him! The latter part of this verse says, “And He (God) inclined to me and heard my cry.” This word inclined literally means that God leaned forward and heard David’s heart. It wasn’t that God was waiting to see how long David could suffer before He moved; it was that David’s faith had moved Him to respond.
We are told in Hebrews 11:6 (AMP.) “But without faith it is impossible to (walk with God and) please Him, for whoever comes (near) to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He rewards those who (earnestly and diligently) seek Him.”
I wonder if you are in the pits today if maybe an attitude adjustment, as David had, would help you in your circumstance! We see the reward of David’s faith in verse 2 of Psalms 40. It says, “He drew him out of that pit and set his feet upon a rock and steadied him, and put a new song in his mouth.”
This was a song of praise that many would hear and see God’s hand of deliverance. Maybe you are in a pit today. Lift up your shield of faith again, no matter how tattered you might think it is, and watch God draw you out of your pit and make you a trophy of His grace!!!
Our services begin 10:30am on Sundays. We would love to have you come!!
Dr. Dianne Coflin
Co-Pastor of River of Life Church.
410 Chapman Rd. East,
Lutz, FL 33549
(813) 949-9931
www.roltampa.org