“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:1-2 NIV).
Have you ever felt like you were in the bottom of a pit? Has life ever seemed just too tough because of problems that just seemed to keep lambasting you? It is during our times of deepest distress that our faith must come into action and when we must turn our hearts to the Lord. Daniel had this problem when he was thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6: 1-28) Daniel was a man of great integrity. The king had given him great responsibility and was planning to set him over the whole kingdom. Well, as you can imagine there were those who were jealous and tried to find something bad about him to discredit him. They only found out that he was trustworthy, not corrupt, or negligent. They knew he was a Jew so they asked the king to issue an edict that anyone who bows to any god or man other than the king would be thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel was faithful to the Lord and was found praying to Him. The king threw him into the lions’ den, which was a deep pit. Daniel was in that pit all night and the king was very distressed. In the morning the king rushed to the pit and yelled for Daniel asking him if his Lord had saved him. Daniel said that an angel of the Lord had come and shut the lions’ mouths because he had been innocent in the Lord’s sight. No wound was found on him because he trusted in God.
What a wonderful story for us!!! If we too trust in God He will lift us out of our pit of despair and bring us joy. Daniel had complete trust and followed the Lord in every way and the Lord did not forsake him.
Do you believe that nothing is impossible with God? Trust him in your time of need and he will not fail you. Just as he came to Daniel, He will come to you and lift you up, set your feet on the rock, and give you hope.
Dear Lord,
Just as Daniel trusted you in his dire need, so enable us to trust you knowing that you hear our prayers and cries for aid and will give us the strength we need to meet whatever problems that we face today. Thank you for your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
