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Life has a way of pulling us into the mud. At one time or another, every person finds themselves sinking into a pit—sometimes of their own making, sometimes through no fault of their own. It could be the weight of addiction, the burden of guilt, the exhaustion of trying to measure up, or the deep sorrow of broken relationships. The muddy clay of sin, shame, and despair clings to us, making every step forward more difficult. Jesus wants to pull us from the mud. Will we allow Him to do this this year during Lent?
David, in Psalm 40, speaks for all of us when he cries out to God: “I wait for the LORD; who bends down to me and hears my cry, draws me up from the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, sets my feet upon rock, steadies my steps, and puts a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.” These words paint a vivid picture of God’s saving power. David doesn’t describe a simple misstep or a momentary stumble—he speaks of being trapped in destruction, of sinking into a mire he cannot escape from on his own. This is the reality of sin, addiction, and the struggles of life. Once caught, the more we fight to free ourselves, the deeper we seem to sink.
Anyone who has struggled with sin or addiction knows this feeling well. We try to change. We promise ourselves and others that we will do better. We make commitments, only to break them. The harder we fight in our own strength, the deeper the entanglement seems to become. It is at this moment—when we realize we cannot save ourselves—that the cry of Psalm 40 becomes our own: “Lord, help me! I am stuck, and I cannot free myself!”
But here is the good news: we are not alone in the mud. Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, bends down, hears our cries, and pulls us out. Just as God delivered David, He delivers us through the power of His Son. Jesus steps into the muck of our lives—not to judge from a distance, but to rescue us with His own hands. The very essence of the Gospel is this: that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). He did not wait for us to clean ourselves up first. He did not demand that we prove our worth. He saw us stuck in the mud, unable to escape, and He reached down to save us.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the season of Lent. During this time, we are reminded of our own frailty and need for rescue. Lent reminds us that we are dust, and to dust we shall return. The truth is, left to ourselves, we are helpless—stuck in the mud of sin. But Lent is not just a season of sorrow; it is a season of hope. It is a time to cry out to God, to acknowledge our need for His mercy, and to trust that He alone can pull us from the pit.
Lent is not so much about trying to fix ourselves, it’s a time of surrender—recognizing that we cannot rescue ourselves and turning to the One who can. Jesus Christ, through His suffering, death, and resurrection, has made a way for us to be lifted up. He invites us to follow Him through the wilderness of Lent, through the refining fire of repentance, and ultimately to the joy of Easter morning, where He sets our feet upon the solid rock of His victory.
When we trust in Jesus, He does more than just lift us out of the pit. He sets our feet on solid rock—on Himself, the firm foundation. No longer do we need to stumble in the quicksand of sin, addiction, and despair. He steadies our steps and gives us a new direction. As Psalm 40 continues, David declares, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn to our God.” This is the song of redemption, the song of one who has been saved, restored, and given new life. Hopefully those who witness this transformation will look on in awe and come to trust in the Lord.
Perhaps you find yourself in the mud today. Maybe you have tried to free yourself, only to find that your struggles have made things worse. Take heart—there is One who can rescue you. Cry out to Jesus, and He will answer. He is not distant; He is near. He hears your cry, and He is mighty to save.
Let’s not place our trust in the arrogant or in those who offer false hope. The world will provide temporary solutions—self-help techniques, quick fixes, empty promises—but none of these can truly pull us from the pit. Only Jesus can lift us up, cleanse us, and give us a firm place to stand.
Today, let’s allow the words of David be our prayer. We must wait for the Lord. Let’s call upon His name. Let’s trust in His power to rescue us. And when He pulls us from the mud, let’s sing the new song of redemption, so that others may see, fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
As we begin our Lenten journey, we should consider what weighs us down. What sins, addictions, or struggles have trapped us? Lent is a time to let go of false securities and place our trust fully in Christ. Through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we detach from the things that pull us into the mud and turn our hearts toward the One who saves.
Jesus is not afraid of our mess. He specializes in rescuing us when we are trapped. No matter how deep the pit, no matter how thick the mud, His arms are strong enough to lift us out. He is the rock upon which we can stand. Let’s cry out to Him, return to Him with all our heart, and watch as He sets our feet upon solid ground.
Let’s make this Lent a time of surrender, a time of trust, and ultimately, a time of rescue. For the One who pulled David from the mud is the same One who will pull us up, cleanse us, and give us new life. We must turn to Him today and begin the journey toward Easter with hope.
Heavenly Father, here in the pit of life, my hand is raised to Your Son. Hold tight to Him as He pulls me from the muck and mire of life. Keep me always anchored to Jesus. He is the rock on which I want to stand. Amen!
AMDG
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Brian,
Thank you; your reflection is precisely spot-on. It is an apt allegory of our daily struggle of trying to fix personal issues on our own. It is only when we quit struggling, cry out to Jesus, and free our hands, that He can pull us up and out into the Son-light of freedom in Christ.
I am genuinely grateful that the Holy Spirit uses you to bless us with His Guidance in such a clear and straightforward manner that we all can understand the message and own it. Thank you for being open and willing to participate in His Life-giving mission.