Getting out of the pit...

Beth Moore is awesome. I haven't read much by her, but currently am doing her Daniel Bible Study (like you Karen!) and also am reading her newest book entitled "Get Out of That Pit!" I am a big fiction reader, and usually never pick up anything else, beyond whatever current study I'm doing in my discipleship group. However, I saw this book on the New Additions rack at our library, and had to pick it up. I am the first to check it out, and I am soaking it in. It's phenomenal. I am referring to it constantly and my friends are probably tired of hearing me talk about it, but it's full of such truth, and encouragement, and the humorous anecdotes and insightful points she shares are so helpful. The Scripture she is using as her main focus is Psalm 40, which I love, and I also listen often to U2's version of it (40) because it is such a great musical version of a plea to the only Help we really can depend on. Like David in verse 12, I feel like my sins outnumber the hairs of my head, and like I am overwhelmed sometimes, just unable to get a firm foothold to climb out of the pit I am often in - negative thinking and despair when I let myself down over and over. This book is one of the best I've ever read, and I encourage you to read it, if you ever find yourself struggling with the same sin, hurt, regret, or past that haunts you and if you really want to be delivered from it.

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

2 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.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.

5 Many, O LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.

8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.

16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
"The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.