Psalm 40

Can I Be Rescued from the Quicksand of Anxiety? Psalm 40:11-17

/ Anthea Kotlan / Leave a comment

Quicksand appeared in more than one television show when I was a child in the 60s and 70s. It served as a frequent plot twist. Many a heroic figure found him or herself sinking deeper and deeper. Or sometimes, the hero would discover someone else descending into danger. Whichever scenario unfolded, there were often guidelines given.  

  • Do not struggle. Less you will sink further down and perish.  
  • Save your energy.  
  • Just relax. 

An entire generation of my peers trained in thinking through a plan of action to handle quicksand. However, decades later, when I fall into the quicksand of anxiety, all those plans go awry.  

Anxiety lays in wait 

Anxiety is stealthy and sneaky. I am moseying down the path of life when suddenly, a trigger opens up a pit of quicksand. I HAVE FALLEN before I know it, and I can’t get out. Time slows and speeds up in cycles as I try to escape. The “miry bog” (Psalm 40:2 ESV) encloses me, and I am overwhelmed.  

A well-meaning friend or family member stands on the firm ground calling out helpful tips and questions.

  • “Keep your head up, now. It’s not that bad.” 
  • “Don’t struggle. You will only make it worse.”  
  • “Why did you go this way? Why weren’t you looking out for the pit?” 
  • “Your life is so awesome. How could you struggle?”  

Anxiety puts the nervous system into fight or flight mode. As the heart rate increases, the mind becomes scrambled and unfocused. Panic descends. The next step beyond this point might be a place of becoming despondent and losing all hope – a pit perspective.  

Psalm 40  

In the second half of Psalm 40, the psalmist seems to cycle back into a desperate need for God’s mercy in the bottom of a pit. (See this link for the first half of Psalm 40 post. https://antheakotlan.com/2022/05/11/have-you-ever-fallen-into-a-pit/ 

11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!  
Psalm 40:11 ESV

The psalmist speaks truth over his dire situation. He loudly declares the truth about God’s mercy, steadfast love, and faithfulness. Speaking truth over my times in the pit of anxiety can help me regain a healthier perspective. However, sometimes the cycle is tough to break.  

12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see;  
they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.  
Psalm 40:12 ESV

Like me, no sooner did the psalmist get a foothold than he falls back down into the despair of feeling surrounded by external evil and his failings. He says, and I have often felt, “I cannot see…” But unfortunately, the view from the bottom of the pit of anxiety is minimal. The quicksand has sucked me down, and there appears to be no way out.  

A “try harder response,” something I relied on for years, fails amid the quicksand of anxiety. But struggling against it does suck me down further and further.  

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me!  
Psalm 40:13 ESV

Like the psalmist, I cry out to God at my lowest points. I beg for deliverance and demand it be on my timeline. Panic drives desperation to the point of frenzy. The idea of telling the Lord of the universe to rescue me and be quick about it seems absurd in the cold light of day. But in the pit of anxiety, I can’t see any way I can survive even a few more minutes. Desperation washes over me in a cold sweat.  
 

14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!  

15 Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!"

Just when it cannot seem to get any worse, it might. The well-meaning passerby suggests I need to try some essential oils or a great new supplement. While, unlike the psalmist, I may not be looking for revenge, I do wish those helpful suggester types would be willing to sit with suffering sometimes. Could you just take a beat oh helpful one?  

Here’s the awkward truth. How often have I been the one standing on the firm ground calling out to a quicksand victim? “Have you tried focusing on the positive? How about a little song?”  

How does God call me to sit with suffering when my loved ones strugggle?

Perhaps, I should be quicker to pray and slower to offer advice? Perhaps be willing to practice being fully present and allowing someone in her time of crisis to feel seen and heard?  

16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord!"   
Psalm 40:16 ESV

Rejoicing while visiting the pit is not my usual reaction. I prefer a lament. I believe there is time for that too. (Follow this link to learn more about the spiritual discipline of lament. https://antheakotlan.com/2022/02/23/leaving-and-lament/

The psalmist suggests an offering of rejoicing. Somehow this rejoicing could be even more potent if done corporately. Sometimes I need someone else to begin the chorus of rejoicing before I can.  

Rejoice in God’s Greatness  

Who can rejoice? Those who have all the answers? Those who feel like it? Those who aren’t caught up in the quicksand of anxiety? The psalmist in verse 16 reminds me how those who seek God rejoice and be glad. Not because of where they are you are or what they have, but because of who we belong to. Because of the salvation the Lord has provided, I can rejoice. He is excellent, even when I fail, even when I fall, even when I can’t see it.  

17 As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!  (Psalm 40:17 ESV)

Finally, Verse 17 reminds me that while I am poor and needy, I am also thought of by God. The God of the entire universe thinks of me. He also thinks of you. He is even willing to help and deliver us. Like the psalmist, I love asking the Lord to hurry up and not delay. Waiting does not come naturally to me. People, we have a schedule to maintain.  

God’s Rescue  

However, God’s timing is perfect. His rescue will be right on time. Perhaps He never intended for me to pull myself out of the pit? While our culture calls us to consider such techniques, departing from the pit cannot be done alone. If only I could wait for the Lord to place my feet on the rock. He will make my steps so much more secure than I could with all of my efforts (Psalm 40:2 &3). His loving-kindness and mercy will indeed cause me to sing a new song.  

Prayer 

Dear Lord, 

When I am in the pit of anxiety let me cry out to you. You are never bothered by me, but You delight in hearing from your daughter. Thank you for thinking of me and rescuing me in your perfect timing. While I wait, I will trust Your timing. I will give thanks in advance for the future solid rock location I will occupy soon. I will choose to rejoice. I will deeply breathe in the truth I find in your word. I will exhale the doubts and the frustrations. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

Have You Ever Fallen into a Pit? Psalm 40:1-10

/ Anthea Kotlan / 1 Comment

Pray the promise, not the problem. 

Carlos Whittaker
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 

2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 
Psalm 40:1-2 ESV

The first two verses of Psalm 40 tell a story of redemption. At first glance, it might appear to be a story of a one-time event.  

Have you ever fallen into a pit?  

I have. I have fallen headlong into a pit through my choices and foolishness. Not just once, I might add. If pit falling got added to the Olympics, I might win a medal. Pit falling limits my ability to solve problems or gain a fresh perspective. The view from the bottom of a pit is bleak.  

At the bottom of a pit, I become hyper-fixated on all the problems. I examine the pit walls for footholds so that I can climb out. If the walls prove too slippery due to all that mire, I try ordering some climbing shoes from Amazon. The kind with tiny spikes. Amazon prime tries to solve so many of my problems.  

Other times I have called a friend to tell her about the pit. I treat it like a newscast –live from the pit with Anthea. Meanwhile, I’m googling to find out all about the rocks in the pit. Is there freshwater? What about pit snacks? What is the pit schedule? Do they need tour guides?  

I LOOK DOWN when I focus on the pit (my problems). As Carlos Whittaker wisely suggests, I need to refocus on God’s promises found in the Psalms. In Psalm 40, the psalmist gives thanks for God’s ongoing faithfulness.  

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 
Psalm 40:1 ESV

Thank you, God, for hearing me when I pray and cry. Lord, you listen to me, but you turn towards me when I call. Knowing I am seen and heard by You makes whatever I suffer somehow bearable. Help me to wait patiently for You. Your response time is always right on schedule.  

2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 
Psalm 40:2 ESV

God, You rescued me from the pit. You lifted me and put me on the solid ground of Your provision. Today, I give thanks for this, and I give thanks for no pit being too deep or too miry for You. Even when I am a muddy mess, You love me and will come for me. You place my feet on the firm ground of Your provision. Your plans provide a strong foundation in times of uncertainty. You see and know exactly where I need to be.  

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord. 
Psalm 40:3 ESV

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of new songs of praise. Songs never heard before. These unique and remarkable songs stir hearts to turn toward You.  

4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! 
Psalm 40:4 ESV

Thank you for blessing me whenever I trust You. When I turn to You and not to those with clever worldly solutions, protected from deception, blessings pour forth when I am close to You.

5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than told. 
Psalm 40:5 ESV

Lord, expand my ability and influence to share about you with everyone. Shape my words into a bold testimony pointing to You.  

6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 

7 Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: 

8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." 
Psalm 40:6-8 ESV

Thank you, Lord, for Jesus’ death on the cross because it set me free from making endless burnt offerings and sin offerings. Help me to walk daily in gratitude for the freedom this provides.  

Help me to delight in obedience and doing Your will. Let me never grow tired of following the guidance you give abundantly. Help me to take into my heart Your laws. Cause me to love what you love and hate what You despise.  
 

9 I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. 

10 I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. 
Psalm 40:9-10 ESV

Thank you for every opportunity I have to seek you first and speak about your deeds. May my life be writ large with words and actions proving who You are. Help me to value the gathering of Your people and be faithful in the church you call me to.  

Prayer

God, you are faithful even in the pit. When I climbed in there myself, you still rescued me. You come when I cry to you because you are full of mercy and grace.  

YOU RESCUE ME when I can’t see the ending of a season of suffering. You come and keep company with me and help me go on.  

When my friend or family member walks through the valley of death, you rescue them and me. Not always in the ways, I prayed, but you always do.  

When I am trapped in the pit of despair, you come and sit with me until I see you again.  

I will sing a new song today because praising You does me good.  

I will choose to find delight in your presence and set aside time every day to do that, even when I am too busy.  

Thank you, Lord, you never leave me where you found me. You never give up, even when I try to.  

In Jesus’ name, Amen