On Solid Ground

Life digs a pit and throws me, kicking and flailing, inside. I hit the bottom hard. There’s no escape, so I call out, “Lord, save me! I’m not meant to exist in this pit. I know Your plan is good!” I sit down and wait for my Savior, expectant for His face to appear over the edge. Time passes, and I fidget, wondering why it’s taking Jesus so long to intervene. I know He heard me. I stand up. I hear noises! My eyes flit back and forth, expecting a rope or a hand. Instead, I see dirt from a shovel come flying into the pit. I duck my head just in time to protect my eyes. More scoops come until my hair and shoulders are dusty and my nostrils twitch with oncoming sneezes. “Who’s up there?” I shout. Satan pokes his head over the edge and grins. “It’s me. Adding misery to what Life does. Fun, isn’t it?” Another scoop follows his words down to the bottom of the pit. I back myself against the wall of the pit. I press my lips together, trying to keep my heart steadfast. I know my Savior loves me. I eventually snap over the shovelfuls that don’t stop. “Lord, if you’re not gonna get me out of here, could You at least bring me a shovel so I can throw some dirt back at him?” I shout. “Don’t You care that Satan’s winning?!” Jesus comes. All the way to the bottom. He has a board and begins tamping the loose dirt. He sings the Song of Grace as He works. I frown. “Why are you down here? Can’t You get me out? Don’t You wanna thwart Satan’s dirt?” Jesus looks at me with love. “Trust Me,” He says. “It might look like Satan is winning, but here’s the secret. I am using his evil, feeble work to fill in the pit. He thinks he is destroying forever. But I am restoring things—even this very pit— using his evil intentions for good. When I am done tamping, we will walk out of the pit together on solid, level ground.” H. K. Rausch • We live in a world broken by sin (Romans 8:19-24). How did Jesus—on the cross and through His resurrection and ascension—destroy sin and Satan’s power (Colossians 2:9-15)? • Read Romans 8:28-39. How can we know God is good and is working all things for good? What is the end result of God’s purposes for His people (see verses 29 and 30)? • Read John 11:35 and Hebrews 4:14-16. What comfort can we get from knowing God became human and experienced life in this broken world? Why is it important that Jesus knows what suffering— including death—feels like? • What can we, as Christians, do while we wait for God to reveal how He will work in a particular situation (Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:4-8; 1 Peter 5:7)? Why is it important that He is with us while we wait (Matthew28:20)?Is suffering the end of the story (Revelation 21:1-5)? And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Proverbs 16:4; Colossians 2:13-15; 2 Peter 3:8-13