King David was a pit-dweller as well. Listen to his words in Psalm 61:
"Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in Your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of Your wings. Selah (pause and reflect)
For You, O God, have heard my vows, You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
So will I ever sing praises to Your name, as I perform my vows day after day."
If you notice in this Psalm, the first thing David did was to cry out to God. He knew God would hear Him. He always listens to the cry of His children, to those who have trusted in His grace and His grace alone to save them (see Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10). He knew God was faithful because He had proved His faithfulness time and time again.
As David cried out, he said, "lead me to the rock that is higher than I." David focused on God's strength, not his own. When I think of a big rock, I always picture the Rock of Gibraltar. Looming in its size, it pales in comparison to God, our Rock. God, the steadfast Rock of believers, is bigger than any rock we've ever seen or will see. He can't be moved and is always a strong tower to those who run to Him. David knew he could lean on Him and fully cast all his cares on God. God was big enough to handle any problem King David would give Him and He is big enough to handle any problem we give Him. Nothing is impossible with God. (Luke 1:47)
David hid himself under the shelter of God's almighty wings of love and protection. The expanse of God's love and protection are unmeasurable. Psalm 91 says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty, I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." David knew the safest place to be was to abide in God's presence. Are you hiding under God's wings of protection or do you look for others to be that protection for you? People let us down, God never will. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8) You can always count on Him!!!
David trusted His God. He had a personal relationship with Him. In Psalm 23:1, David said, "The Lord is my Shepherd." David belonged to God and feared Him with a reverent heart. He trusted God for his eternal security and for his immediate well-being. He knew His Father would pour out His steadfast love and faithfulness. On many occasions, David had cried out to God, but one in particular stands out, "O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah But You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and He answered me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me." How many sleepless nights do you have? Trust in the one who will sustain you and keep you safe.
David, cried out to God, leaned on Him, hid himself under God's wings and trusted in His faithfulness, but he wasn't finished. David, the singer of songs, now had a song of praise on his lips. Do you? How often does God deliver us and we forget to praise Him?
I'm not sure what kind of "pit" you've found yourself in, but don't delay, give your "pit of despair" to our faithful God and let Him deliver you and He will put a song of praise on your lips.
"I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set, my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD."
Psalm 40:1-3
