Daily Devotion

Friday, February 6, 2026  

Today's Scripture
Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit, 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.
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.
Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever.
For evils have encompassed me without number; my iniquities have overtaken me, until I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me.
Let all those be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt.
Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”
As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. (NRSV)

Oh, that slimy pit.

We’ve been there both metaphorically, and not so metaphorically. We are so desperate to find a way out. How do we climb from the depths and search for answers? Where do we turn?

We all know who is waiting for us. But why does God keep coming back to pull us from the bottom? At least we hope God does. That’s what faith is about, right? Having the faith to have someone ready to pull you from your lowest points.

I’ve been pretty low. It’s not a good place to be. Why can’t I move, or get up, or get motivated? People will come. They will ask what is wrong. They may get angry. No one understands what you’re going through. You may not be able to explain it. The pit is deep. It’s dark. It’s really slimy.

You have to learn to find faith in your family, your friends, and from the Lord. Faith isn’t easy. It’s always tested and pushed to the limits. When at my lowest, I wondered why I felt all alone. I know I’m not. There are people close, but that loneliness is strong. It hurts. It drags you down. When you are at the bottom, covered in slime, that faith is the only thing that can pull you up. You have to remember that faith is there.

Prayer

Lord, give us the strength to remember your faith in us as we remember our faith in you. Amen. 

Written by Matthew Murphy, Director of Information Technology and Systems

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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