Day 6 - Outta the Mud

SCRIPTURE:

Psalm 40:1-5

“I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn’t slip. He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God. Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,” ignore what the world worships; The world’s a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you.”

DEVOTIONAL:

This passage has been a classic go-to for me over the years. I like the Message translation because it helps me take a fresh look at God’s promises.

What transformed me: Years ago I got a call from Grace, my daughter. It was late, dark and cold. She was in her small Toyota truck on a country drive--something she did often. The reason for the call? She was stuck in a farmer’s field — mud up to the axles. She couldn’t get out. As hard as she tried it only got worse, so she called dad.

Ever do that? Get stuck. I know I do. I think that by my own power and ingenuity I can rock myself out of life’s thick mud. The fact is I can’t. The harder I try the worse it gets.

I’ve learned to call Dad often. He hooks a tow-rope of hope to my bumper and gently pulls me out of the mud and sets my tires on solid pavement—a spiritual and emotional grounding. Often the circumstances haven’t changed, but where my spirit sits does! 

There is an amazing benefit when we call on Dad. He puts a new song in our heart. The Message translates these moments as a mystery. 

Is there a field in life where you are stuck up to your axles in mud? It’s time to stop trying harder and call Dad!