Finding Rest in God Alone

Published on 29 May 2025 at 21:47

Finding Rest in God Alone

Feeling stuck in life’s miry clay?

You’re not alone. Whether it's the weight of bills, broken relationships, a doctor’s report you didn’t expect, or the emotional exhaustion of just trying to keep going every day—life can feel like a pit. Psalm 40 opens with David, the man after God’s own heart, crying out from that very place:

“I waited 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.” (Psalm 40:1–2 NIV)

This blog is more than commentary. It's a spiritual invitation to breathe again. To exhale the pressure and inhale the peace of God's presence.


The Pit Is Real

Let’s start by acknowledging the obvious: life can get messy. The “slimy pit” David speaks of might look like an overdue rent notice, a shattered marriage, grief, depression, or even spiritual burnout. It’s the moment you say, “I can’t do this anymore.”

But David didn't stay in the pit. Neither will you.

We live in a culture that often rushes to fix things, to avoid waiting. But waiting is a spiritual discipline. Psalm 40 reminds us: deliverance is not microwaved. It is born in patient trust.


Waiting on God: Passive or Powerful?

Let’s clear this up: waiting on God is not doing nothing. It’s positioning your heart to listen, your mind to focus, and your faith to expect. It is active surrender.

"Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31)

When you wait on God, you’re not being lazy. You're saying: "I trust Your timing, Lord." Waiting builds endurance. It refines your faith. It detoxes your soul from the addiction of self-reliance.

Just like David, we must believe that God hears our cry. The Hebrew word used for "heard" in Psalm 40:1 means to listen with intention. God doesn't just hear; He listens with the intent to respond.


Religion vs. Relationship: The Heart of the Matter

David wasn’t a perfect man, but he understood something many of us miss: God wants your heart, not your performance.

Too many believers are trapped in religious rituals while their hearts are dry. They go through motions—church attendance, checkbox prayers, Christian lingo—but miss the vibrant, relational connection with Christ.

This message challenges that. We are invited to move from the pew to the presence. From routines to relationship.

"I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." (John 14:16)

The Holy Spirit isn't a distant power. He’s your Comforter, your Counselor, your Advocate. He brings the presence of Jesus into every room you step into—even if that room is your car, a hospital bed, or a jail cell.


When the Tears Are Private

Some of the most honest moments we have are in secret. We cry in showers, in parked cars, or behind closed doors. But take heart:

God sees in secret. He heals in hidden places.

Psalm 56:8 reminds us that God records every tear. You are not invisible to Him. In your most broken state, He is present, collecting every cry, every sigh, every silent scream.

The pit is temporary, but His presence is permanent.


Communion at 33,000 Feet

One of the most powerful parts of the podcast episode is a communion moment taken mid-flight. Why? Because it breaks the lie that you need a building or ceremony to connect with God.

Wherever you are, Jesus is there. Whether you're 33,000 feet in the air, stuck in traffic, or surrounded by chaos at home—you can meet with Jesus.

Communion is about remembering. It’s about inviting the reality of Jesus into your moment. It’s deeply personal. It’s intimate. It’s holy.

And it’s always available.


5 Lessons from Psalm 40 and John 14

  1. God Responds to the Patient Heart
    Waiting is not a delay in God’s promises—it’s preparation. Every moment in the pit is shaping your testimony.

  2. Deliverance is His Job, Not Yours
    Stop trying to climb out on your own. The rescue is divine. He will lift you up.

  3. Your Cry is Never Wasted
    David cried out. So can you. God hears it all—even the cries you can’t form into words.

  4. The Holy Spirit Makes Jesus Real
    He’s not a ghost or a concept. He’s your constant companion, your inner strength.

  5. The Rock is Jesus
    The firm ground David speaks of is not just safety—it's Christ Himself. He is your unshakable foundation.


From the Pit to the Platform

Let’s flip the script. Your pit is not the end of your story. It’s the start of your platform. People relate to pain. They resonate with real.

When you let God lift you up, you have a story to share, a song to sing, a testimony to declare. Your past becomes someone else’s roadmap to hope.

God never wastes pain. He repurposes it for His glory.


Walking Through the Fire with the Spirit

The Holy Spirit doesn't remove you from trouble. He walks through it with you. That’s the beauty of John 14: He will never leave you as an orphan.

When you’re too weak to pray, the Spirit intercedes. When you don’t know what to do, He guides you. When you’re crumbling inside, He comforts you.

You are not alone. Ever.


Practical Ways to Rest in God Alone

  • Start each day with a deep breath and scripture. Let Psalm 40 or Isaiah 40:31 anchor you.

  • Journal your cries. God can handle your honesty.

  • Simplify your spiritual routines. Focus on connection, not perfection.

  • Take communion at home or in nature. It’s not about place—it’s about presence.

  • Play worship music that uplifts. Let the atmosphere shift.


Closing Reflection

Maybe today you feel buried under the mud of life. But friend, you are not forgotten. The God who lifted David is the same God who will lift you.

He is placing your feet on the Rock. He is writing a new song for your lips. He is turning your pit into a pulpit.

So pause. Breathe. Trust.

"He lifted me out of the slimy pit… and gave me a firm place to stand."

That’s the power of finding rest in God alone.


🎧 Listen to the full podcast episode now on: Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, Buzzsprout and more.

📍 Visit: www.pastorbencooper.co.uk

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#Psalm40Explained #WaitingOnGod #HolySpiritJohn14 #ChristianEncouragementPodcast #FaithOverFear #FindingRest #JesusIsTheRock #PastorBenCooper #SpiritFilledLife #RealFaithRealChange

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