In the Pit!
by Jill Southern
Well they would see Joseph in the distance with the sun glittering on his coat of many colours, wouldn’t they? Joseph’s brothers were still angry at the teenager’s behaviour. So they decided to teach him a lesson and stripped off his robe (verse 23) and threw him into a pit. Joseph must have been thankful that there was no water in the pit or he would have quickly drowned!
Have you ever felt you were in a pit? The pit makes us totally dependent on God. Maybe it’s a pit of depression, a pit of rejection or even a pit of failure. We need to acknowledge that we can’t climb out of such a pit ourselves and, instead, throw ourselves into the arms of our kind and loving God.
What would happen to Joseph’s dreams now? What do you think was going on down in the pit? Did Joseph know the presence of the Lord in the pit? Did he really call on the name of the Lord?
The pit can be a very humbling experience and gives time for reflection. God was starting to prepare Joseph for his destiny. When you read the stories of God’s saints, you will find that all of them at some time or other experienced being in a pit. God will always test those he uses and use those He tests.
When other people seek to throw you into a pit, can you continue to obey God alone, even when circumstances have turned against you? Are you hearing God’s Word in your heart and reading the Word of God, so you can learn to trust in Him and know His voice? Are you developing your relationship with Him?
Joseph was rescued from the pit. God will rescue us from our pits because He’s chosen us to belong to Him and we are in an unbreakable, covenantal relationship with Him. We not only know God, but God also knows us, and loves us unconditionally. God doesn’t want us to become pit dwellers!
Action line: Does it feel that you are down a pit? Have you asked God to rescue you from your pit?
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to trust you in every circumstance of life - even when it feels like I’m in a pit. I know that You will rescue me out of the slimy pit and put my feet upon a rock. Be with me through each step of today, as I choose to trust You with my life. In Jesus name. Amen.
Jill Southern is the founder of Ellel Ministries Pierrepont and directed the work for 21 years. She has recently stood down from that role but still teaches on the NETS programme and has the passion to train and equip God`s people to fully walk in their destiny and calling. She is the Regional Director for Ellel Ministries International in South East Asia and China and is also on the Executive Leadership of the ministry.
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