October 31st
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1-3 NIV
This is a wonderful passage to encourage us to be persistent in calling on God for help when we’re in difficult circumstances. Sex addiction is one of the many possible slimy pits we may find ourselves in. The devil uses all different kinds of mud and mire to keep us in bondage to sin. If we are tired of being covered in filth and really want to get out of the pit, we need to start calling on God through prayer and truly turn away from the sin we’ve been practicing.
As we call on God in prayer for help, we need to remember to be patient yet persistent. We need not give up after one prayer. For whatever reason, sometimes there is a delay between the prayer request and the answer. We do know that God does things that will bring glory to his name and draw people to him. When he miraculously delivers a person from bondage to sin, he does it because he loves that person AND so that it will testify to the people around that person.
God has prepared a firm place for us to stand, free of bondage to sin. As you pray and seek God for deliverance from whatever you struggle with, consider how you will glorify him as a result. Who will you tell? How will your living habits and choices change? What will you do differently that reflects the mercy and love he has shown you?
Questions for further thought:
How did David respond to God when he was delivered?
Does the promise of rescue give us free license to indulge in sin? (Romans 6:1-4)
Prayer:
“Lord God in heaven, thank you that my prayers are heard and that I have peace with you on account of the blood of Jesus. I repent from any sin that I have been practicing. Please lift me out of any pit that I may have fallen into and set my feet on solid ground. Lord, please fill me with life and strength to resist the temptations of sin and to live as the new person you created me to be. I praise you, Lord. Hallelujah! In the matchless name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”