Out of the Pit

‘Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power’ (Ephesians 6:10). Is this our experience? Or do we sometimes feel we’re missing the mark? ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31). We know these words, but can we fully connect with them? When our assurance begins to wane, and our confidence slips does our faith become just a bit wobbly?

Are cracks beginning to appear in our strong tower? Can we still claim His unfailing love as our own? Have we fallen into the pit of despair and don’t know how to climb out?

Perhaps we’ve swallowed the lie which overtook Adam and Eve in the Garden, “Did God really say?” Or Mary’s dismay when she discovered the empty tomb, “They’ve taken away my Lord.”

What can we say that we haven’t already said? How do we pray when we don’t seem to be making a connection with God? We know we need to pray, but are our prayers sounding hollow?

We can still turn to God in our distress. ‘“Call upon me and I will answer you,” says the Lord’ (Jeremiah 33:3). ‘For we do not know what we should pray for, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered’ (Romans 8:26).

There’s one word. It’s not a desperate cry for help, but it’s the shortest prayer of all. It’s the prayer that will bring light into every dark situation. It’s His name – Jesus, the name that is higher than all other names. It’s the name which brings the Spirit of God into the centre of our being. It’s the name at which demons tremble. But we must look up. Lift our eyes from the depths of the pit up to the heavens. “Jesus.”

Remember the sacrifice, the pain - the love - the blood. Remember the cross on which the Prince of Glory died. Remember that the enemy, our enemy, was defeated.

There is none greater. No problem, adversary, fear, power, or principality is greater than the name of Jesus. It’s the name to which every knee shall bow and submit. ’For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods’ (Psalm 97:9).

We’re not begging. We’re not pleading. We’re just declaring the Light of the world in the midst of the darkness. As we lift up the name of Jesus, it quickens our spirit and unites us with the living God.

‘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. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him’ (Psalm 40:2-3).