14 day plan

Living Above the Mess

Day 1 of 14

CSB

Psalms 40:2

2He brought me up from a desolate pit,

out of the muddy clay,

and set my feet on a rock,

making my steps secure.

Reflections:  As I read this verse, I feel like the author wrote it with my life in mind, anyone else? There are days when I am drowning in the slimy pit, the mud and mess of life. Circumstances have captured me and every time I move, life gets busier and I seem to get deeper into the mess. But God has put the Bible in my hands for times just like these! As you read this verse today, consider the three promises it presents to you.

  1. He lifts you out of the pit. You don’t have to work out all your problems, you don’t have to sort out all your mess, God will lift you out and remind you that he is great. It’s his hands that reach in and pull you out.
  2. He sets your feet on a rock: and that rock is Jesus Christ. He is the Rock upon which we stand, a solid foundation under our feet, so we don’t slip back down into the quicksand of life again.
  3. He gives you a firm place to stand. This is ours from now on, a firm place to stand above the mess. A viewpoint where we can see the answers, not just the problems, where we can see God move, not just the mud in our eyes.

Questions:  Which of these promises encourages you the most today?

Prayers:  Lord, lift me out of the mess and mud that I am in today. Let me feel the solid rock under my feet and establish my feet upon that firm place so I can stand.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

Days

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14

Psalms 40:1-17

Psalm 40

Thanksgiving and a Cry for Help

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

1I waited patiently for the Lord,

and he turned to me and heard my cry for help.

2He brought me up from a desolate pit,

out of the muddy clay,

and set my feet on a rock,

making my steps secure.

3He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

and they will trust in the Lord.

4How happy is anyone

who has put his trust in the Lord

and has not turned to the proud

or to those who run after lies!

5Lord my God, you have done many things —

your wondrous works and your plans for us;

none can compare with you.

If I were to report and speak of them,

they are more than can be told.

6You do not delight in sacrifice and offering;

you open my ears to listen.

You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.

7Then I said, “See, I have come;

in the scroll it is written about me.

8I delight to do your will, my God,

and your instruction is deep within me.”

9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;

see, I do not keep my mouth closed —

as you know, Lord.

10I did not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I spoke about your faithfulness and salvation;

I did not conceal your constant love and truth

from the great assembly.

11Lord, you do not withhold your compassion from me.

Your constant love and truth will always guard me.

12For troubles without number have surrounded me;

my iniquities have overtaken me; I am unable to see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

and my courage leaves me.

13Lord, be pleased to rescue me;

hurry to help me, Lord.

14Let those who intend to take my life

be disgraced and confounded.

Let those who wish me harm

be turned back and humiliated.

15Let those who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

be appalled because of their shame.

16Let all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;

let those who love your salvation continually say,

“The Lord is great!”

17I am oppressed and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my helper and my deliverer;

my God, do not delay.

© 2017 Holman Bible Publishers