Dearly
Beloved,
OUT
OF THE MIRY CLAY…
“[God]
brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon
a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to
our God; many
will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:2-3 NKJV).
I used a group photograph taken around forty-five
years ago when I was in primary school to celebrate my birthday recently on
some social media platforms. As I looked at the picture again, I noticed that I
was without school sandals or shoes. I took the picture barefooted! Then I
remembered my life in those days. I was not opportune to have school sandals
and many other basic things that a primary schoolboy should have. My parents
were not rich, but they insisted that all their children must go to school. Thanks
to the government of the day that made schooling affordable for as many as
those who wanted to attend then. My life did not fare better when I was in
secondary school. Over forty years later, I look at myself today, and I have
many reasons to thank God for it. I am not a rich man today, but I will be
counted among people that are not poor in my immediate society. The old primary
schoolboy without sandals is now an erudite scholar lecturing in a private
university with scores of international writings. This is apart from ministering
daily to thousands of people through the Internet and being an ordained pastor
in one of the leading evangelical churches. The Lord has indeed brought me “out
of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock”. Many are seeing it and are praising God with me.
My life story is similar to the story of the writer of
Psalm 40. King David likely wrote this psalm because of his
background as an unnoticed shepherd boy who later became the king of Israel
(see 1 Samuel 16:11; 2 Samuel 5:1-5). This was after many perils instituted
against him by King Saul out of jealousy (see 1 Samuel 18:6ff). He became a
vagabond in a foreign land. His relatives had to be relocated with him to a seeming
safer place (see 1 Samuel 22:1-2). However, he eventually became the king of
Israel. God indeed established his steps and put a new song in his mouth. Many
saw it and trusted in the Lord.
What has been your situation in the past or currently?
What “miry clay” are you currently? The Lord can bring you out of the “miry
clay”, set your feet upon a rock, and establish your steps. He can turn your story to glory. What you need to do
is to trust in Him. If you believe, you will see the glory of God (see John
11:40).
In His service,
Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).
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Prayer Point: Bring me out my miry clay and establish
my steps, O Lord!
BAYO AFOLARANMI