“I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea, ‘Do not close your ear to my cry for help!’ You came near when I called on you; you said, ‘Do not fear!’ “You have taken up my cause, O Lord; you have redeemed my life…”
Lamentations 3:55-58
The Lord has taken up my cause. He has not taken up my cause that I obtain the latest gadget or gain popularity or receive a great job promotion. He has taken up the cause of redeeming my life from the depths of the pit.
In the darkness of despair, from the bottom of the pit, I cry out, “God save me!” And the Lord takes up my cause. He does what I cannot do – he makes me eternally secure in him.
As children of God we are always under his care. He has drawn near to us and drawn us near to him. His ear is close by our lips and he hears our every cry. In the darkness we hear his words, “Do not fear!” The sovereign creator of all things assures us that this situation is under his control.
As Peter says, do not think it strange when you face trials of various kinds (1 Peter 4:12). God is using your hardship for your growth and for his glory. We do not fear all the fiery darts of the evil one for we know that God has redeemed our lives. He has taken up our cause and has already won victory over sin and the grave.
Live with joy, ye saints of God! The Lord has taken up your cause. Your life is secure in him. The darkness has been destroyed with the light of Christ and though you might be walking in the valley of the shadow of death, all around shines the light of God’s redeeming love.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
even though i’m more than 3/4ths of a century old, i clearly identify with the little boy on his
pathway…so refreshing!!
Chris,
Thank you so much for this devotional. There is nothing like the word of God to make things more clear when one is in the depths of their own personal pit. The word of God gives me hope. I am in the midst of battling anxiety, panic attacks and depression. The mornings are the hardest for me. I’ve had terrible insomnia and disturbed sleep. I have two beautiful children that I have to help get ready and take care of in the mornings as well as throughout the day. I have had to re-learn how to completely trust and rely on God instead of myself. I am at the point now where I can finally accept things as they are and consider it a testing of my faith and an opportunity to learn and grow for the glory of God. I did not realize until yesterday that while I was waiting on Him, He was really waiting on me. And while I was not patient with Him, He was very patient with me. Things were very, very rough for awhile until I learned to let go and give control over to my Creator who knows what it is that I need. He is obviously trying to teach me something and has been for quite some time. I was fighting the depression and anxiety tooth and nail and trying to do everything in MY power to understand why this was happening and why it keeps happening in my life. I just wanted Him to make it go away. I was very angry & impatient with Him for not immediately taking it away and for letting this happen to me. Lately, though, as I’ve come to the end of myself and into his loving arms, it’s been getting better. One tiny step at a time. I’ve been struggling with these things for about a month now. Your devotional gives me hope and I will continue to re-read the scripture until I memorize it. His word gives us new life. God Bless you.