Set My Feet On Solid Ground
Are you feeling doubtful and tired, waiting for answers to prayers? Are you waiting for a job, or a promotion or raise at work? Are you waiting for your marriage to be restored or your heart to heal from the pain of separation or divorce? Are you crying out to the Lord for answers or at least some sign that the Lord is working on the other side of your mountain of circumstance? He does hear your cries!
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along. Psalm 40:1-2
You may feel like you are sinking into the mud and mire of your circumstances, or that you are in a deep pit of despair and there seems to be no way out, but the Lord will lift you out! He will set you on the Solid Rock so you can stand and face all your problems. Keep your eyes on that Rock, the Lord Jesus. Learn, as Peter did, to keep your eyes on Him and trust Him to hold you up and you will not sink.
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:28-31
Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the storm. Where is your focus right now? Are you focused on the storm of financial problems, damaged relationships, loneliness, or rebellious children?
Jesus is our strength, our Deliverer.
I love you, Lord;
you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3
How many times when a crisis comes, do you pick up the phone and call your best friend or your mom or dad? We look for advice from others before we seek the One with all the right answers. Cry out to the Lord and wait on His answers or guidance. Jesus has divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. He has good plans for your life. He sees the end from the beginning. Would you rather get help from someone whose knowledge is as limited as yours, or the God of the universe?
He wants you to come to Him first and trust Him to bring you through whatever difficult situation you are facing. Don’t let the enemy fill you with fear and make you give up hope. He wants you to look at the situation and think it is hopeless and there is no way for it to work out. He wants you to be impatient and think, “It’s taking too long, so God must not be going to answer my prayers.” But he is the father of all lies! Don’t listen! God hears your prayers and sees your circumstances. He wants you to be calm. Remember when He spoke, “Peace, be still!”, and, “Be still and know that I am God.”? Be at peace, trusting. Don’t be in turmoil, fretting and anxious. Be calm. Trust Him and know that He is in control, and He has your best interest at heart.
God created the universe and everything in it. Think about that. Every animal, every insect, every tiny part of their bodies working in perfect detail; all creatures and nature are meshed together perfectly in perfectly structured and functioning order. The stars and planets by the millions, placed in their orbits by the Creator that knows the names of each one. The earth is in the exact place and distance from the sun to accommodate life. Everything is in its place and timing is perfect.
Could it be that God in His infinite wisdom and power knows more than we do? Could it be that His thoughts and ways are actually so much more advanced, so much higher than ours, that He knows something we don’t? Can we see everything taking place in each person’s life that is involved in our situations? Can we see the end from the beginning and the affect of each choice and action? Do we know what it will take to change each person’s thoughts and heart in a lasting way that will bring them closer to God and bring glory to Him? This is the ultimate purpose for everything.
We need to learn to recognize God for who He is. He is all-knowing. He is all-powerful. He is everywhere, watching over everything, all the time. He is unending, unconditional love. His love and His mercy go on forever. This incredible, awesome God loves you and cares about all you are going through.
So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:31-33
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Focus on God and living right before Him; repent for sins, forgive others, love and do good for others. Thank the Lord for everything He has done, is doing, and will do in your life; for salvation, health, shelter, food, a good mind, His word, His love, church family, all He provides, His protection… As you can see there is too much to even name at one time. Be a grateful person. Praise and worship Him. No one else is worthy of our worship and honor. Be glad for what He has done for you and that the Almighty God of the universe loves you deeply! Rejoice! Praise Him!
The joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8
Rest in the love and peace of the Lord. Trust Him to lift you out of the pit, to set you on solid ground, and to love and take care of you.