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!â€

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?â€

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?!â€

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?â€

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