Escape From the Pit

You know that pit you’re in – the one that makes you feel unworthy, defeated? There is hope for escape. “How did I get here?” you ask. Many roads lead to the pit. Repeated sin. Depression. Idolatry. Loneliness. Sickness. Maybe you made your own way there. Maybe someone or something pushed you down further and further until you were locked in by the dark walls of hopelessness. Listen! There is a way out. You are not alone.


Maybe you don’t see it now but, our hope is not in ourselves. Nor is it in the things around us. Our hope is in the LORD, and He is with you! Stop looking around. Look up! The LORD is there. His light is breaking your darkness like the dawn of a new day. Dawn happens gradually. The light ever so slowly chases away the darkness. It is beautiful to watch and nothing . . . nothing can stop it. Think about that. Nothing can stop the dawn from coming. The light will prevail. The only way to miss seeing the light is to run and hide. Likewise, the only way to miss the LORD’s light is to run from Him. Don’t! Stand firmly in the presence of your LORD. Watch Him dawn His beautiful light on you. Listen as He whispers, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3b-4a).

Oh! What hope! The God of the universe loves you. He draws you into Himself with His kindness. He promises to build you up again. No matter how dirty or scarred you may feel, you will be pure again, sanctified, and with new purpose because of Him.

The way out is simple. Look up! Fix your eyes on the LORD. Read His word. Clothe yourself in His promises, His righteousness. Let nothing distract you from Him. Not your heart. Not your emotions. Not the world around you. Focus on Him. Soon you will find you are free from that dark place. Then, you will sing and shout His glorious praises in victory!

Heavenly Father, our world is sometimes dark. Thank You for the light of Your word. Thank you for hope. Thank You for the saving grace given to us because of Jesus. We commit ourselves to You. Guide us out of these dark places and into Your freedom. In Jesus’s name, Amen.


Additional readings:
2 Samuel 22:29; Psalm 4:6; John 1:1-5; John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 21:23