For 58 hours in and around October 14, 1987, the nation was fixated with the story of an 18 month old girl, commonly known as Baby Jessica, who, while playing in her backyard, fell into an abandoned well. She was stuck some 20 to 30 feet down and unable to help herself. As the nation and world watched the rescue workers attempting to save her from her predicament, each hour brought anxiety and more prayers. The rescue workers broke drill bits on a shelf of strong, impenetrable rock, and finally a relatively new machine was brought to the site that could break through this impenetrable rock. She fell into the abandoned well on Wednesday, and late on Friday night, television programs around the nation were interrupted with breaking news, Baby Jessica had been rescued!

You may remember watching this unfold and may remember your own emotions as you prayed for Baby Jessica's situation. As I remember back to this story and have read updates about "Baby Jessica" who is now in her late 20s and married, I consider times in my life where I may not have physically experienced a pit I could not overcome but have experienced difficult times that seemed like pit experiences.

Over the past two weeks, we have looked at Psalm 40:1 and today, I want to continue into verse two where we read in the first part of the verse, "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire." There are times in our lives where we are literally stuck in a pit of despair and hopelessness because of our present circumstances or how we feel. The pit is a lonely place where we find ourselves searching for a solution to get ourselves out of this pit, yet everything we try does not completely move us beyond the rim of the pit and we find ourselves slip sliding down the side again. At each attempt to get ourselves out of the pit, we become more angry and filled with despair and may even come to a point where we consider giving up and contending this is our lot in life.

The beauty of this Psalm is the recognition that God is ever present and when we cry out, God responds with a powerful hand that lifts us out of the pit. I always view this powerful hand of God reaching down from heaven to lift me out of the despair and hopelessness I am experiencing. This may not be manifested in the struggle or problem disappearing or being solved, but it is manifested in a peace that brings me hope and a sense of a brighter future. We tend to want God to come and remove all the struggles of this world, and as a side note we know there will come a day when all things will be set right, but until then, we can hold to the knowledge that God lifts us out of our despair and gives us peace in the midst of turmoil.

Are you overwhelmed with despair and hopelessness? Is there a situation you are facing that has brought you to a "pit" experience? Have you lifted your hand to God and sought God's power to lift you from this despair and hopelessness? Why continue to try to do it on your own? Trust in God and lift your hand and see how God works in powerful ways to bring you hope and peace in the midst of the turmoil.

Prayer: O Lord, when I am in the depths of the pit, I confess I try everything in my power to get out only to discover I need help. I cry out to you today while lifting my hands up to you seeking your powerful hand to lift me out of this miry pit. Put a peace and hope in my heart to banish despair and hopelessness. Thank you for your faithfulness. Amen.