I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God.
Psalm 40: 1-3 (LB)
Scripture: Psalm 17: 1-12
We all get bogged down in trials. Waiting patiently for God to rescue us is difficult at best. This devotion looks at how God keeps His promises and rescues us from the trials, allowing us to praise Him through the trials.
Cliff Notes
- Even though we are believers, it is easy to become discouraged.
- God’s silence does not mean He is not working in our lives.
- Seasons of trials will begin and end.
- We are to praise God through the trials while waiting for a new song to sing.
This is one of devotions I wrote years ago. It amazes me at how relevant parts of it is for my path today. I have said a couple of times that these devotions start out with God talking to me.
I see two reasons I believe it is still relevant. God is not a one-and-done type of God. He slowly molds us into who we are supposed to be. I don’t know if it is because we are so resistant to change. Or if He is taking His time to work everything to His good. Or if His calendar is just so different from ours. Whatever, He carefully guides us along our paths.
The second reason is because I used so many scriptures in it. God’s Word is not an ancient book that is no longer relative. It is a living document in that it breathes life into us. As we grow in the depth of our understanding, it becomes richer and fuller.
Waited Patiently
Lord, I was bogged down in the mire. I was experiencing trials like I had never before.
And because of this, I was in the pit of despair. I questioned if I really wanted to go on with this life.
It is so easy to get discouraged, Lord, even though I believe in You. It is hard to find You at times. I thought You had abandoned me — just as everyone else had. All I can see is my present horrible circumstances.
Lord, then I took hold of Your promise — “And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me” (Ps. 50: 15 NASB). I don’t know why You rescue me, but You do. I don’t know why You love me, but You do.
You told me to wait patiently for You to work. You may be changing me. You may be changing the others, or You may be changing the situation in which You are calling me.
Whatever the reason, I know silence is not a sign of You not working, I know You are silent because You are working all things out.
I just need to keep my faith and trust in You. I need to keep my eye on You.
Your Word says I am supposed to praise You in the midst of the trial — in the “… day of trouble…” (Ps. 50: 15 NASB). That tells me that my trials have an end date. That comforts me. I will wait patiently.
Lord, I know what the path “down the road” is going to be, but I don’t know how I will get there. “O send out Thy light and Thy truth, let them lead me; Let them bring me to Thy holy hill, and to Thy dwelling places” (Ps. 43: 3 NASB). “Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou are the God of my salvation; for Thee I wait all the day” (Ps. 25: 5 NASB). Help me to not run ahead of You in my desire to reach the conclusions.
You Listened and Heard
Then, oh Lord, You heard my prayers. They stopped hitting the ceiling.
Maybe I had let go of my will and said Your Will be done. Maybe I needed to grow in other ways to be able to accomplish the work You have for me. Maybe You worked out the situation so that Your Will could be done.
Lord, I also know that the plans You have for me are “down the road.” That proves that Your plans for me is so much better than mine. God, You not only meet, but also exceed, my expectations.
You Lifted Me from Despair, Bog and the Mire
I just know that my time of trial ended. Lord, You did lift me out of the mud. You did rescue me.
You gave me back a reason to want to live. You reestablished my desire to live for You.
The bog that I was mired in turned into solid ground. I could feel You working in my life. I was confident that the decisions I was making were in Your Will.
A New Song of Praise to Sing
The path that You have now set me on is much better. I promise to try to live more in the way in which You want. For I know “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34: 15 NASB). See me and hear me as I walk life’s paths.
It is true when the Psalmist wrote, “The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way” (Ps. 37: 23 NASB). You showed me that You do want my life to count for something.
Lord, I know I cannot resist the temptation without Your help. “Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Thy wings” (Ps. 17: 8 NASB). I know I will prevail because You are the one “Who keeps us in life, and does not allow our feet to slip” (Ps. 66: 9 NASB).
Keep my eyes on You. Keep my feet on Your path, especially through the slippery parts.
Help me to be patient, Lord. When I am impatient, lead me back to Your Word that says: “Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord” (Ps. 27: 14 NASB).
I know that when Your timing is right, You will show me the way You want me to go. I hold on to another of Your promises – “The Lord favors those who fear Him, Those who wait for His lovingkindness” (Ps. 147: 11 NASB). Lord, I thank You for Your lovingkindness, Your guidance and Your salvation.
I also know that Satan is going to come along and try to convince me to walk the soft path. Strengthen me to be able to resist him when he tempts me. I want to follow You. I want to rely on You. I want to do Your will. Lord, I wait for the day when I enter Your presence and hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” (Mt. 25: 23, NIV).
Merciful heavenly Father. Help us to wait patiently for You. Listen to our cries and help us. Lift us out of the pit of despair, out of the bog and the mire. Set our feet on a hard, firm path. Steady us as we walk along. We praise You with the new song You have given us. Amen.
What do you think? What are some ways that we can remind ourselves that God’s silence does not mean He isn’t working? Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you have not signed up for the email daily or weekly providing the link to the devotions and the newsletter, do so below.
If God has used this devotion to speak with you, consider sharing it on social media.