He Lifted Me

"I wait 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 scripture speaks to me so personally because of my many years of depression. I love the words "He lifted me" and "he set my feet on a rock." And "he put a new song in my mouth" and "a hymn of praise to our God." These words give me hope and strength in my backbone. I can face whatever challenge is before me because I will trust in the Lord.

I found a hymn that uses this scripture, "In Loving Kindness Jesus Came" by Charles H. Gabriel, 1905. I'm not sure that I've heard it before but the words speak volumes to me.

"In loving kindness Jesus came My soul in mercy to reclaim, And from the depths of sin and shame Thro' grace He lifted me. (refrain): From sinking sand He lifted me, With tender hand He lifted me, From shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lifted me!  He called me long before I heard, Before my sinful heart was stirred, But when I took Him at His word, Forgiv'n He lifted me. (refrain)  His brow was pierced with many a thorn, His hands by cruel nails were torn, When from my guilt and grief, forlorn, In love He lifted me. (refrain)  Now on a higher plane I dwell, And with my soul I know 'tis well; Yet how or why, I cannot tell, He should have lifted me. (refrain): From sinking sand He lifted me, With tender hand He lifted me, From shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lifted me!"

Lord, Thank You for lifting us up when we stand in sinking sand: be it grief or pain or illness. Raise us to stand on Your solid rock where Your presence surrounds us and comforts us. Help us to trust in You, no matter what slimy pit we find ourselves. Thank You for sending Your Son Jesus to suffer for our sins and lift us up in Your glory. Amen.