The Pit

"Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)"

Take this fainted heart
Take these tainted hands
Wash me in Your love
Come like grace again

Even when my strength is lost
I'll praise You
Even when I have no song
I'll praise You
Even when it's hard to find the words
Louder then I'll sing Your praise

I will only sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise

Take this mountain weight
Take these ocean tears
Hold me through the trial
Come like hope again

Even when the fight seems lost
I'll praise You
Even when it hurts like hell
I'll praise You
Even when it makes no sense to sing
Louder then I'll sing Your praise

I will only sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise

“If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night.”  Even the darkness is not dark to You.  And the darkness is as bright as the day.”     Psalm 139:11-12

“The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in darkness like those long dead.  So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.  I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all Your works and consider what Your hands have done.  I spread out my hand to You, my soul thirsts for You like a parched land … Let the morning bring me Word of Your unfailing love.  For I have put my trust in You.  Show me the way I should go for to You I lift up my soul.”       Psalm 143:3-6,8

You are back here again.  You sigh, recognizing the claw marks in the side of this pit as your own from previous falls.  You’ve been here a thousand times before.  You had really hoped you’d be past this by now.  You feel defeated, completely depleted of energy … hope disappeared long ago.  “How, Lord” you ask, “How can I do this again?”  “What is the point?” you ask, “How can I do this again?”  You don’t even want Me to reawaken your hope because you fear it will lead to the disappointment that finally breaks you.  You say the darkness has fallen upon me, and it’s crushing what light you had left.  You sit down in your pit, head hanging, staring at the ground wondering how long until it swallows you.  You’ve no will to fight your way out again.  Your spirit is dismayed within you.  What do you do when you simply can’t do anymore?  (1) Remember: no matter how distant the days seem to you now, remember My mighty hand—the hand of the Lord your God moving on your behalf.  Remember My loving-kindness towards you.  Remember how I delivered you from the pit the last thousand times.  Remember and worship.  Spread out your hands in loving surrender.  Release yourself to My furious love.  I will deliver you yet again.  My hand is mighty to save (Zeph. 3:17).  Morning will bring news of My unfailing love for you.  You have put your trust in Me, and I will show you the way to go.  I will lift up your soul from the pit and set your feet upon the high places.  (2) Come to Me like a little child: I don’t expect you to have the strength to dig your way out, I expect you to curl up in My lap and lay your head against My chest.  I expect you to surrender yourself to My embrace like a little child.  I know you can’t handle all the storms, traumas, pain and hardships that life brings.  I know you can’t handle the disappointments, broken dreams, and soul rendings that come from living in a fallen world.  Have the willingness of a little child to cry it all out in My arms.  I will never leave you without support, alone (Heb. 13:5b-6 AMP); I will always be here.  Leave your pain and brokenness with Me and I will lift you up (James 4:10). 

I will give you the faith of a little child.  The innocent comfort a small child has in the protection and provision of her Daddy.  When circumstances become too much she goes running to the comfort and security of her parent.  She knows that all will be well despite her own powerlessness, because she is well loved and protected.  The little children are the greatest in the Kingdom because, “these little ones believe in Me” (Matt. 18:6).  Their assurance is rock steady; no one is stronger, better or more loving than their Daddy.  No one can fix things like Him.

“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 40:2 

I Will Build You a House

“According to Your (God’s) own heart, You have brought about all this greatness, to make Your servant know it.” 2 Sam. 7:21b

“I (God) will build you a house.”  2 Sam. 7:27

It is the desire of My heart to give you good things.  I want to pour out on My beloved child all the blessings of heaven.  I delight in seeing your joy.  As you seek My will and kingdom first, I will build a house for you.  The house built by Me will be blessed.  It will be blessed because every good thing I give you, you in turn place back in My hand with love.  Don’t worry about building your own house—you are neither equipped nor qualified to do so.  But I can weave My plan perfectly.  You pursue what I put in front of you, and let Me build your house.  It shall not fail though storms come and danger draws close.  I will preserve what is surrendered to Me.  Just like your life, which you surrendered to My hand has gone from darkness and death into life, so will the house I build for you.  It will be a place of life giving joy which will bring glory to My Name.