IN THE PITS - NYOBS 54.11

IN THE PITS

While studying, afflictions, turmoil and trouble; I find that it really doesn’t matter WHY

you are in the pits, whether it be sickness, troubles in your life or the heartache of being

treated different because you profess to be a Christian; the answer is still the same,

The way out is Prayer.

Complaining, Fussing and Worrying

·         Right off the bat I must point out that we should know that the enemy (Satan) wants to persecute our very soul; to crush our spirit causing worry, anxiety and fear to consume our lives. – There may be the need of something; the need of more patience or you are in sorrow, in sickness, need finances, in tribulations, distressed, chastised, dishonored, getting evil reports, wounded, imprisoned, suffering violence, labors, sleeplessness, heaviness of spirit and the list just goes on, and I’m sure that you can add some of your own to this list.    

• There are invisible chains of infirmity that are not physical.  You can’t see them, but the bondage is ever present. 

·         To combat all this, we are told to bear one another’s burdens and to cast these burdens on Jesus who will sustain us. - We are not to worry or be anxious about anything, but are to give our anxieties and worries to Jesus. 

·         If you are a complainer, God says you are walking after your own self-centered desires; He calls it lust.  Find a way to give a good report instead of a complaint. 

·         Don’t complain about what has been set in front of you, because you are complaining against the provisions of God.  SELAH... ponder that.

·         We are to do all things without complaining or disputing.  Complaining squelches our inward spirit and causes us to sin with our tongue.

·         Bless and Praise the name of God  IN  whatever circumstance you find yourself and give respect and honor to His authority; we were created to praise God. 

Psalm 143:3 – Satan persecutes the soul – Crushes the life
³ For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. (NKJV)

Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens
² Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. (NKJV)

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burdens on Jesus
²² Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (NKJV)

Philippians 4:6 – Don’t worry about anything
⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; (NKJV)

1 Peter 5:7 – Cast your cares on Jesus
⁷ casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)

Job 1:21 – Bless God IN (not for) all your circumstances
²¹And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD." (NKJV)

Psalm 102:18 – We are created to praise God
¹⁸This will be written for the generation to come, that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD. (NKJV)

Psalm 145:19 – Give Honor and Respect to God
¹⁹ He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. (NKJV)

Jude 1:16 – A complainer is walking in his own lust
¹⁶ These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. (NKJV)

Numbers 14:36 – Find a way give a good report; not a complaint
³⁶ Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, (NKJV)

Exodus 16:8 – Your complaints of your provision is against God
⁸ Also Moses said, "This shall be seen when the LORD gives you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to the full; for the LORD hears your complaints which you make against Him. And what are we? Your complaints are not against us but against the LORD." (NKJV)

Philippians 2:14 - Do all things without complaining
¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, (NKJV)

Psalm 77:3 – Complaining squelches the spirit of man
³ I remembered God, and was troubled; I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah (NKJV)

Job 2:10 – Complaining causes us to sin with our lips
¹⁰ But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (NKJV)

FEAR - RABBIT TRAIL

·         Scripture says Job was a perfect and an upright man, one that feared God, and hated evil.

• So how did Satan get into Job’s life – Here’s the story; - NYOBS 02.37 - JOB; THE TESTING
• Satan had just returned to Heaven and was having a discussion with God about Job, inferring that the only reason Job reverenced God was because he was blessed with so much stuff.
• God asked Satan a “rhetorical” question; have you considered my servant Job?
• God was just messing with Satan by asking Him this question; He just wanting to bring the point to the surface as He already knew that Satan wanted to “Sift Job as Wheat”.

• Now after this conversation, God tells Satan “Behold Job is in your hand”.
• NOTICE God’s Words; Behold; he is in your hand. - God did not give Job to Satan - Job was already in Satan’s hand; Satan just didn’t know it. - The Question is how can that be?
• Sin in the life of the believer allows Satan to access his life.   

• Job was forever offering sacrifices and praying for his children in case they had sinned against God.  They loved to party and Job feared they would get into sin even if it was only in their heart.-  FEAR was the key that unlocked Job’s Life and allowed Satan to enter.
• Fear, anxiety and doubt can crush your spirit, filling you with invisible chains of infirmity.

Job 2:3 – Job was a perfect and upright man

3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that fears God, and hates evil?

Luke 22:31 – SIFT YOU AS WHEAT

31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. NIV

Job 1:4-5 – Party time at Job’s House at the Lake

4 His sons used to take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would send and have them purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, "Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular custom. NIV

Job 1:6 - Behold, he is in your hand;

6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, HE IS IN YOUR HAND; but save his life. KJV

Job 3:25 – Job was operating in FEAR

25 What I FEARED has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. NIV

Rom 14:23 – Everything that does not come from faith is SIN

23 But the man who has doubts is condemned ….and everything that does not come from faith is SIN. NIV

James 1:5-8 – Double Minded - Unstable

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously

6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. NIV

In the Pits with Sickness

·         God has set before us in His Laws curses and blessings - Sickness is a curse that originates back to the Garden of Eden. – Fear; which is SIN, can bring on an unclean spirit of Sickness.

·         Sickness and sorrow in our life can break our spirit, but as Believers, through the Holy Spirit, we have the power to take authority over this sickness.

·         In our time of sickness or sorrow, scriptures says to sing praises unto God and He will lift us above the oppression. – A happy spirit will overcome sickness and sorrow.  – Good news; we do not have to be sick when we die; we can die HAPPY.

Job 3:25 – Fear can bring on sickness
²⁵ For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me, And what I dreaded has happened to me. (NKJV)

Luke 13:11 – An unclean spirit can cause Sickness
¹¹ there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. (NKJV)

Proverbs 15:13 – Sorrow can break the spirit
¹³ A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. (NKJV)

Proverbs 17:22 – A broken spirit can sap life from the body
²² A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 28:20-22 – Sickness is a curse
²⁰ The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me.
²¹ The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess.
²² The LORD will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. (NKJV)

James 5:13 – Pray when you are sick
¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (ESV)

2 Corinthians 4:17 – Sickness is just a moment in eternity
¹⁷ For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, (ESV)

Proverbs 18:14 – A happy spirit will overcome sorrow
¹⁴ The spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, But who can bear a broken spirit? (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 34:7 – You don’t have to be sick when you die
⁷ Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. (NKJV) 

Deut 30:19 - Curses or Blessings – LIFE IS CHOICE DRIVEN
¹⁹  I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; (NKJV)

In the Pits with Doubt

·         Jesus Himself could not do any mighty works among the sick in His own hometown because of all of the doubt and unbelief He encountered.

·         Doubt and un-belief squelches the work of the Holy Spirit.

·         In the scriptures, Jesus put all the unbelievers out of the house, then with His believing Disciples and the parents; He laid His hands on the child and she recovered.

·         The Lesson is; that those with doubt or unbelief should not be in the room when hands are being laid on the afflicted.  SELAH… ponder that... It’s in the book…

Matthew 9:23-25 – Don’t let Unbelievers pray over you

²³ When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing,
²⁴ He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him.
²⁵ But when the crowd was PUT OUTSIDE, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. (NKJV)

Mark 6:4-6 – Unbelief hindered the Work of Jesus Christ
⁴ But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house."
⁵ Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6 And He marveled because of their UNBELIEF. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. (NKJV)

In the Pits with Unclean Spirits - Demons

·         Today we see HATE crimes and murders and we just dismiss it as, “they just were not in their right mind”.  We say folks that do bad things “Just went Crazy”.  What we fail to do is recognize it for what it is; the works of Satan and his demonic servants. 

·         These people that do bad things are POSSESSED and we just dismiss it. -  Demonic activity is ramped today, it’s just camouflaged. - Sin is not black; it’s 50 shades of gray.

·         I must assure you before we look at unclean spirits, that a Christian cannot be possessed by an evil spirit; a demon. - A demonic evil spirt cannot co-exist with the Spirit of God.

·         Demon is from the Greek word daimon – In the KJV it is translated Devil – The Jewish traditional roots indicate that demons were the forces of darkness and wickedness and their leader was Satan. – The names Devil and Satan are virtually synonymous.

·         The unclean evil spirits or demons that live today are the same spirits from the first earth age – moving from person to person, killing, stealing and destroying as they go.

·         They do not consist of matter or a material body or substance – they are without physical existence in themselves, but they belong as property or a thing to Satan.

·         They are invisible and operate above the laws of nature – have supernatural intelligence and knowledge along with terrible physical strength which they impart to those they possess.

·         A demon spirit needs a moist place to find rest and attempts to take over humans as well as animals. – They need to possess a person’s mind and body to enable them to get around.

·         When an unclean spirit has been cast out of a man, the spirit of God must be received into him or the unclean spirit will be able to return with more of his demonic friends and it will be worse than before. -  I urge you to read the in-depth study NYOBS 11.16 - SPIRITS – DEMONS

·         It is not uncommon for someone to have more than one demon; Mary Magdalene had seven. 

·         Scripture says one man had a legion of demons (6,000) - They were sent into 2,000 pigs which promptly committed suicide...

·         Demons in scripture are called, unclean spirits, familiar spirits, demons and devils.  – They are spiritual beings with personalities, intelligence and strength. – They rob you of your personality and your mind; making you sick and deranged mentally. – They cause defects, deformities and suicidal tendencies.

• They produce invisible chains of infirmity that are not physical.  You can’t see them, but the bondage is ever present. 
• They can move around your body exhibiting headaches, backaches, chest pains, upset stomach, nausea, dizziness, sadness, depression, stress, fear, paranoia, rage and even cause you to exhibits different personalities.
• This suffering is not really a physical sickness; so medical treatment gives minor relief, if any. – For sure, it’s not God trying to teach you something. – It is God’s will that you are healed. – Prayer; the Word and “Faith” are the only remedy.
• I see this even in the church – Attaching itself outwardly – hoping to gain entrance though discouragement and stress. – Christians cannot be inwardly possessed; only messed with. Demonic “attacks” will not succeed in the life of the believer – it will eventually fail.

·         Unclean spirits or demons can be cast out of a person by the authority given to the Believer.

·         The casting out of demons is not preached in many churches today because they believe the GIFT of casting out evil spirits ceased with the early Disciples. - You will not be able to cast out demons if you are operating in doubt and unbelief.  If you doubt God’s promises, it will be impossible for you to please Him and to receive the results scripture has promised.

·         Note:  Scripture says that the Gifts and calling of God are irrevocable until He returns.

Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Luke 13:11 – A spirit of infirmity

11 There was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself.

KJV

Matthew 12:43-45 – The Spirit of God must fill the void in man
⁴³ When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.
⁴⁴ Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.
⁴⁵ Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation." (NKJV)

Eph 6:12 – Unclean Spirits are not flesh and blood

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

KJV

Matt 12:43 – An unclean spirit needs a moist place to find rest

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. KJV

Matt 12:43 – An unclean Spirit, demon; prefer people to objects

43 "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none.

NKJV

Mark 5:12 – Demons desire even an animal – a moist place

12 The demons begged Jesus, "Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. NIV

Rev 16:13 – Demons are known as unclean spirits

13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.

KJV

Mark 16:9 – Many demons can possess a person at a time

9 When Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.

KJV

Mark 5:9 – You can have a Legion of Demons - 4,200 to 6,000
⁹ Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion; for we are many." (NKJV)

Mark 1:40-41 – Jesus said He wants us healed.

40 Then a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You want to, You can heal me”

41 And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I want to”; be cleansed."

LB

Isa 54:17 – It will not succeed – It will fail

17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,

NKJV

Matthew 10:1 – We have power over demons – Heal the sick
¹ And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (NKJV)

Matt 18:18 – We have the authority to bind and loose.

18 "I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

NIV

Matt 10:8 – The believer is authorized to cast out demons

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

KJV

Luke 10:19 – We have authority over the enemy.

19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

NIV

Luke 9:1 – Authority to cast out demons

1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

 NIV

Mark 16:17 - They can be cast out of a person

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

KJV

Matt 10:1 – Christ wants men free of demons

1 He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. NIV

Matt 10:8 – Commanded to cast out demons

8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

NIV

Luke 4:33-34 – An unclean spirit recognizes The Holy Spirit.

33 A man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out

34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.

KJV

Matthew 17:19-20 – Doubt and Unbelief stops your authority
¹⁹ Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why could we not cast it out?"
²⁰ So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

(NKJV)

Hebrews 11:6 – If you doubt; you cannot please God
⁶ But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJV)

Authority over the pits

·         Part of the ability to receive is our obedience in pleasing God through doing His word.  We must have fruit that is meaningful, fruit that “remains” in order to receive what we ask. - What is your fruit; are you doing the Word?

·         The Twelve Disciples were given power over unclean spirits and the ability to cast them out, to heal all kinds of sickness and disease. 

·         This power was extended to the believer along with a new prayer language.  You do not have to be an American or a member of a special race to operate in its power.  It doesn’t matter if you are poor, unemployed or even in prison, God still responds.  The power and authority is available to any Believer that wants it.

·         If you are seeking God’s face, He has promised that your prayer will have much power.  -God said this; not me and it’s impossible for God to lie. 

·         Don’t kid yourself, if you doubt God, you will not receive anything. 

James 5:16 – Seeking God’s face; prayers will have much power
¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (NKJV)

1 John 3:22 – Keep commandments – Do things that please God
²² And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. (NKJV)

Romans 10:12 – Anyone seeking can call on the name of God
¹² For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. (NKJV)

Mark 16:17-18 – Good works follow those that believe in Christ
¹⁷ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." (NKJV)

John 15:16 – We are to bear fruit that will remain - Continue
¹⁶  You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. (NKJV)

Psalm 69:33 – God hears your prayers even in prison
³³ For the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners. (NKJV)

Hebrews 6:18 - It is impossible for God to lie
¹⁸ that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. (NKJV)

James 1:5-7 – If you Doubt; you will receive nothing
⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; (NKJV)

Getting out of the Pits

·         You can get out of the Pits by seeking Knowledge, Understanding and Discernment.

·         Faith builds confidence that our petitions that are in line with the Will of God will be answered.  - We will have more faith as we study what God’s Will is; therefore, we will have more confidence that our petitions will be answered. - If you seek the knowledge and understanding of God, He will give it to you. 

·         God is able to bless us far above what we are able to comprehend, directly proportional to the power that we practice in our day to day lives.  I guess some of us need to practice more power in order to “get in” on more blessings.  

·          The body of Christ should show concern and pray without ceasing for those that are afflicted. - God delights in the prayers of His people and wants to answer our prayers so that we will have compete joy. -  It’s in the Book - NYOBS 52.18 - PRAYER

·         Take time to be quiet and to know God.  Humble yourself before Him that He might lift you up.   

·         Fast, that the lord will be merciful. - God has promised; if we humble ourselves, pray and seek his face and turn from our sins, He will heal us and deliver us out of our afflictions. 

·         God can’t feed us if we don’t open our mouths and talk to Him.  We need to tell Him our needs when we are sick; asking Him for strength.  Sickness is but for a moment when you compare it to the bliss of eternity with Jesus.

·         Our crying out is heard by His ears and when He hears our cry, He will dispatch an Angel to lead us out of our infirmity’s.  - He has already sent the comforter to help us and abide in us forever. -  We will find the Father if we will just call on His name. 

Psalm 46:10 – Take time to be Quiet before the Lord
¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (ESV)

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If we humble; He will hear, forgive and heal
¹⁴ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (ESV)

2 Chronicles 33:12 – Humble yourself that your request be heard
¹² And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. (ESV)

1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourself so that God will lift you up
⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (ESV)

Proverbs 15:8 – God delights in the prayers of His people
⁸ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him. (ESV)

1 John 5:14-15 – God hears petitions in line with His Will
¹⁴ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. (NKJV)

Deuteronomy 4:29 – If we seek we will FIND the Father
²⁹ But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul. (ESV)

Proverbs 2:3-5 – Seek knowledge; understanding – Receive it
³  Yes, if you cry out for DISCERNMENT, And lift up your voice for understanding,
⁴  If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures;
⁵  Then you will UNDERSTAND the fear of the LORD, And find the KNOWLEDGE of God. (NKJV)

Psalm 81:10 – Tell God all your needs; He will provide it
¹⁰ I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

(ESV)

Psalm 105:4 – Ask Him for His Strength
⁴ Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (ESV)

Psalm 27:5-6 – In distress; Sing praises of JOY to God

⁵ For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock.
⁶ And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me; therefore I will offer sacrifices of JOY in His tabernacle; I will sing, yes, I will sing PRAISES to the LORD.

(NKJV)

Mark 9:29 – Fast and pray for more faith
²⁹ And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting.” (ESV)

2 Samuel 12:22 – Fast that God will be merciful
²²  He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ (ESV)

2 Samuel 22:7 – Our crying out is heard by God’s ears
⁷ In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I called. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry came to his ears.

(ESV)

John 14:16 – He has sent the Comforter; the Holy Spirit
¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, (ESV)

John 16:24 – Prayers are answered so our JOY will be complete
²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your JOY will be complete.

(NIV2011)

Numbers 20:16 – God will dispatch angels to lead us
¹⁶ And when we cried to the LORD, he heard our voice and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. And here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory.

(ESV)

Ephesians 3:20 – He is able to exceed our expectations
²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, (NKJV)

In the pits Yearning

·         If you feel a yearning in your heart; it is being prepared by God.  The closer you get to Him the closer He gets to you.  Wouldn’t you like to get so close, that people see the Father in you? 

·         In order to receive what we ask, it’s not enough for us to just abide in the Father, His words must abide in us. - We must study the Bible. 

·         God searches your heart, your imagination and your thoughts; seeking a willing Spirit. - God seeks a people who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

·         It’s important to know the will of God in our life, because it’s the man that does the Will of God, that God will hear. - It’s easy to know God’s Will; just study His word.  

Proverbs 16:1 – That yearning is God preparing your heart
¹ The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. (NKJV)

James 4:8 – Get close to God and He will get closer to you
⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

(NKJV)

1 Chronicles 28:9 – God searches your thoughts and heart intent
⁹ for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you.

(NKJV)

John 9:31 – If you do the Will of God; He hears your petitions
³¹ Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. (NKJV)

John 15:7 – If God’s words abide in you; ask and it will be done
⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (NKJV)

John 4:23-24 – God seeks men that worship Him in spirit & truth
²³ But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.
²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (NKJV)

In the pits; Rely on God

·         Do not trust in yourself, trust in God who raises the dead. 

·         If we can just hang in there until the break of day, we will receive a blessing.  We may have to endure sorrow for a night, but joy comes in the morning.  God’s grace is sufficient for whatever we need.  Remember all things work together for good for them that lave God and are called according to His purpose. 

·         Endure all things that come against you so that you will receive the blessings.  Remember in all things, whether we are on the mountain top or down in the valley, whether lacking in patience, or in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in violence, in wounds, in imprisonments, in labors, in sleeplessness, by dishonor, by evil report; as chastened, as sorrowful, as poor, as having nothing; in all that, we are still His Witness’, Evangelist, Ministers; His children.

·         The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord and although he may stumble, he will not be utterly cast down.  Even if the outward man appears to perish the inward man is renewed day by day if he continues in the faith. 

2 Corinthians 1:9 – Rely on God who raises the dead
⁹ Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. (ESV)  

Genesis 32:24-28 – Hang in there and receive a blessing
²⁴ Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day.
²⁵ Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.
²⁶ And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You BLESS me!"
²⁷ So He said to him, "What is your name?" He said, "Jacob."
²⁸ And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." (NKJV)

James 1:12 – Endures all things – Receive the crown of life
¹² Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

(NKJV)

Psalm 30:5 – Joy comes in the morning
⁵ For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But JOY comes in the morning.

(NKJV)

2 Corinthians 12:9 – God’s grace is sufficient for us
⁹ And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (NKJV)

Romans 8:28 – All things work together for good for the called
²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 – We are ministers of God – Act like it
⁴  But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,
⁵  in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings;
⁶  by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
⁷  by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
⁸  by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true;
⁹  as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed;
¹⁰  as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. (NKJV)

Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by God
²³ The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. (NKJV)

Psalm 37:24 – We may stumble; but not utterly cast down
²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 4:16 – Inward we are renewed day by day
¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. (NKJV)

OUT OF THE PITS

·         God will remember His covenant, He will not forsake us; but will deliver us.

·         He will hear from Heaven and show favor on us.  He will call us His people and give us the desires of our heart. 

·         We will find grace in His sight and He will be gracious to us.  He will honor us with an abundance of mercy.  

·         He will direct our paths and avenge us speedily. 

·         He will water our garden and provide our groceries. 

·         He will even give us more children if we want them. 

·         If we petition Him enough, He will give us the desires of our heart even though it may not be the best thing for us. 

·         We must be pretty special to God, to know that “He knows” the number the hairs on our head.  He even knows ever tear that falls and perhaps even saves them in a bottle.

STEP BACK - LOOK WITH EXPECTANCY - SEE WHAT GOD IS ABOUT TO DO

Exodus 6:5 – He will remember His covenant
⁵ Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. (ESV)

Deuteronomy 4:31 – He will not forsake us
³¹ For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (ESV)

Psalm 34:17 – He will deliver us
¹⁷ When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. (ESV)

2 Chronicles 7:14 - He will hear from heaven
¹⁴ if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (ESV)

Job 33:26 – He restores us to righteousness
²⁶ then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. (ESV)

Psalm 37:4 - He will give us he desires of our heart
⁴ Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. (NKJV)

Proverbs 10:24 – The desires of the righteous will be granted
²⁴ The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted. (NKJV)

Exodus 33:17 – We will find grace in His sight
¹⁷ So the LORD said to Moses, "I will also do this thing that you have spoken; for you have found grace in My sight, and I know you by name." (NKJV)

Exodus 22:23 – He will be gracious to us
²³ If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; (NKJV)

Psalm 86:5 – He will have an abundance of mercy.
⁵ For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. (NKJV)

Psalm 91:15 – He will honor us
¹⁵ He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. (NKJV)

Proverbs 3:6 – He will direct our paths
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)

Luke 18:7-8 - He will avenge us speedily
⁷ And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
⁸ I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" (NKJV)

Zechariah 10:1 – He will water our garden
¹ Ask the LORD for rain In the time of the latter rain. The LORD will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, Grass in the field for everyone. (NKJV)

Joel 2:19 – He will provide your groceries
¹⁹ The LORD will answer and say to His people, "Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And YOU WILL BE SATISFIED by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations. (NKJV)

Ezekiel 36:37 – God will give more children
³⁷ Thus says the Lord GOD: "I will also let the house of Israel inquire of Me to do this for them: I will increase their men like a flock. (NKJV)

Luke 15:12-17 – Your desires may not be God’s best
¹² And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.
¹⁷ But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (NKJV)

Matthew 10:29-30 - The hairs of your head are numbered
²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will.
³⁰ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. (NKJV)

Psalm 56:8 - Tears into Your bottle
⁸ You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book? (NKJV)

In the multitude of counselors,

there is wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14

I am grateful to those that went before me providing concepts, ideas, historical information, and scripture verses.  Because of them I can stand on their shoulders and see further that I otherwise ever could have.

                                                                                                                                     

Bible Almanac; The – Packer-Tenney-White

English Standard Version Bible – ESV

Expositor’s Bible Commentary – Frank E. Gaebelein

King James Version Bible - KJV

New International Version Bible - NIV

                                 Thru the Bible – J. Vernon McGee