Down in the Pit - 11/30/08am

II Corinthians 4:1-12 -Though oppressed, we do not lose heart or despair

Often we feel discouraged as we strive to follow Christ. Sometimes we despair of our tasks, and we feel as though we are all alone in the bottom of a pit with now way out.

Joseph
Genesis 37:1-4 -Background of Joseph’s relationship with family
Genesis 37:5-11 -Joseph’s dream of dominion, brother’s reaction
Genesis 37:12-20 -Brothers plot to kill Joseph
Genesis 37:21-22 -Reuben’s Compromise
Genesis 37:23-36 -Consequences of Joseph’s Pride
-Consequences of his brother’s envy
-Consequences of Reuben’s compromise
-Consequences of Jacob’s favoritism
Sometimes we feel like we have been cast into a pit, do we not? We feel as though we are trapped, and that there is no way out of it. We feel cut off from our friends, family, and brethren. We feel as though there are no solutions. And sometimes it is our own prideful fault, is it not? Sometimes it was helped brought about by others, and their actions or compromises. Yet we see that Joseph continued to follow God, and much good was accomplished.
Genesis 45:1-11 -Joseph, as Pharoah’s second, is revealed to his brothers

Jeremiah
Jeremiah 38:1-3 -Jeremiah gives an unpleasant pronouncement
Jeremiah 38:4-6 -Jeremiah is oppressed for the message
Jeremiah 38:7-13 -Jeremiah is rescued from the pit by Ebed-Melech
Sometimes we feel like we are in a pit and alone, because of bringing God’s word, do we not? We feel hopeless, trapped, despondent, and don’t think we’re accomplishing anything. People don’t like the message, so into the pit goes the messenger! Yet, we see that God provided the way out, often from an unexpected direction. Ebed-Melech was not the most likely of people to rescue Jeremiah, yet that’s who rescued Jeremiah.

David
Psalm 40:1-5 -Praise for God for His deliverance
Psalm 40:6-8 -Obedience required - looking ahead to Christ
Psalm 40:9-10 -Proclaimed God’s greatness
Psalm 40:11-15 -Asking for God’s further deliverance
Psalm 40:16-17 -Praise for God, thankfulness for His compassion
David, in this psalm dwells on God’s deliverance. He was not physically in a pit, but like all of us, he often was emotionally. His enemies pursued him, danger awaited him at every turn. Yet we see that through faith, through pursuing righteousness, God provides an escape and delivered David from the “horrible pit.”

Our God can, and will, deliver us. When we are thrown into a pit, whether through our own actions or through the actions of others, God will provide a way out. Even if things seem to get worse, it works for the glory of God if we take it. When we despair, remember this. When we feel that we cannot go on, remember Joseph. Remember Jeremiah. Remember David.