FROM PIT TO PRAISE
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: FROM PIT TO PRAISE
Main Scripture: Psalm 40:1-5 NLT
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week consider taking the time to read the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
We all can get into a pit of despair and if you consider your life before salvation you were definitely in a pit in need of rescuing. Pits can be trials of suffering, trials of fear, shame, struggle with sin, or even grief from the loss of family. Pits are not permanent. I’ve been stuck in pits of all types and I’m here to say God got me out and he’ll probably have to do it again one day. I was blessed by the words of Psalm 40:1-5 and have felt prompted for some time to help us know what to do in and when we get out of pits. I pray today’s message helps us now or in the future.
Notes:
Context and meaning
What was David going through?
The Psalmist is David. We don’t know the specific situation David was going through that made him express he was stuck in a pit of despair. There are clues that Psalms 37-40 are all connected and that Psalm 40:1-5 is the triumphant conclusion to Psalms 37-39.
What we see in these Psalms are enemies coming against David but also David confessing his sin had got him in trouble. As a leader and a king, David would naturally have enemies or he would be his own worst enemy. David actually acknowledges God’s discipline for his own sin (38:1-3; 39:8-11). This could be why his trial feels like he’s in a pit and needs to be saved.
We can see many examples in scripture where people deal with the consequences of their choices. We see God’s love sends or simply allows opposition or conflict to humble His people and to stir repentance. There are also trials and tribulations simply because of the devil and evildoers. It appears David’s pit is a combination of possibly all three!
What did David do?
David had prayed at some point and expressed his prayer as a cry to the Lord.
David waited patiently for the Lord to answer, act, or respond and he did.
What did God do?
God delivered. God saved. This is very much like a salvation experience. Let me explain.
God got David back up on his feet and helped him recover and take the next few steps. God didn’t just lift David out, He made sure David was ready to walk and move forward again.
The results are powerful
David goes from being in despair to singing and praising the Lord to all who would listen.
This deliverance stirred up a new song to the Lord in his heart and mouth.
David wants God’s deliverance to be proclaimed and help others trust in the Lord.
David gives a brief exhortation or sermon in verse 4 basically saying that those who trust in the Lord will be blessed, not those who trust in themselves, others, or false gods.
Lastly, David gives us a sample of this new song in his heart. A song about God having no rivals and one who does wonderful deeds, too many to count.
Takeaways
The Lord is worth the wait!
Psalm 37:7 Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
This has to be one of the hardest things to do.
To trust God to work and help as you wait will seriously grow your faith in Him.
When we wait on the Lord to act we get God's results!
This isn’t an excuse to do nothing, but to know what is God’s role and what is your role. If it has to do with changing people’s minds or hearts, that’s only something God can do.
We can pray in the waiting.
We can be humble and teachable in the waiting.
We should live with integrity in the waiting.
While we wait…
God is moving and working to rescue you
This scripture describes the following: God turns, hears, lifts, and re-establishes.
God responds to the cries of the humble and righteous.
Jonah’s foolishness put him in a pit, the belly of a large fish, in the depths of the earth. But he called to the Lord: Jonah 2:2 “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!
2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Psalm 37:39-40 The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. 40 The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him.
Psalm 139:7-10 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast
Don’t resist God’s rescue or doubt it.
When you get out, get the word out!
Are you out of the pit but living like you aren’t?
Give God the glory He is due!
Sometimes we're in a pit so long we forget how to praise. Sometimes we've been in a pit so long we can't see all the wonderful works God has been doing.
Your testimony can help others trust in the Lord (in their pit of despair). Your trial is not wasted. Your testimony brings glory to God and helps others to put their trust in the Lord in times of despair.
God restores!
In His way and in His time God restores…
Psalm 126:1-6 NLT God restored!
Psalm 90:15-17 Give us gladness in proportion to our former misery! Replace the evil years with good. 16 Let us, your servants, see you work again; let our children see your glory. 17 And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!
God redeems our misery and turns it into ministry
Close
I don't know how people go through hard times without God and the prayers of His people. We don't realize how much we can handle until we go through something hard. More importantly, we come to learn a new level of God’s faithfulness and power when we go through hard times. Knowing the Lord knows your circumstances and how to get you through is comforting. Going through hard times changes us too. We hope it’s not more cynical but more grateful for the Lord and more helpful for others.
If you’re in a pit, the sky isn't falling. Your life isn't over. You'll get through this. This too shall pass. Cry out to God to work and save you. Wait patiently for Him to act. Let God get you out of the pit so you can put your testimony to work. God is giving you the strength to thrive through difficult times and even the strength to help other people in their hard times. That’s the power and might of God inside of you for His glory!
Discussion:
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
In what ways can you model David’s faith in adversity?
How have you or can you find joy in the waiting?
What areas is God working to restore for you or your family?
What other notes did you highlight or write down that you would like to share?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!