Out of the Pit

“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.”

Psalm 34:7 (NASB)

My parents did not build their house on a wooded lot. They built it in the woods. There were so many trees felled to prepare the area that in order to save on cost, the builder buried the trees in various areas around the yard, rather than haul them away. As the years went by, the trees rotted and the ground above them sank. In time, there were several deep sink holes, primarily in the back of the yard, which ended up being a blessing in disguise.

During the rainy season, which seems to be every season here, the culverts prevent the accumulated torrent because of the rainfall from cascading down the hill and into the house. When dry, the ditches serve as a refuge for large and small animals including snakes (https://robert-a-l-blake.com/if-the-hose-moves/). I even spied a coyote hiding out among the bushes along the bank one day.

On a summer evening while cutting the lawn, I circled a tree near the culvert and lost control of the riding lawn mower, perhaps because of the speed I was going, as it was late in the evening, or because of a minor lapse of foresight. I miscalculated my correction and found myself and the machine careening headlong into the pit! I only had enough presence of mind to shut off the whirring mower blades as we descended.

Now near the bottom, only prevented by brush, I tried to reverse without success. I tried to rock the mower to no avail. It was then that I noticed the front wheels turned at a peculiar angle and would not straighten. Without thinking, I got off the mower and tried to move it, which at this point felt like a mass of lead, which was also stuck in mud. I then recognized where I was standing and figured it would be a matter of time before something realized my fate and would come to take advantage of me.

Finally, I could straighten the wheels and then pushed again only with minimal results. I exclaimed, “Jesus, help me!” and gave a final push. All four wheels turned as I pushed the tractor uphill and out of the pit! In my “moving company” days, I have used brute force to move sofas, appliances, and so forth, but this instance was beyond my brute strength as it had not worked.

I believe in angels and the power of prayer.

The prophet Daniel found himself in a pit overnight. We don’t know if they escorted, rappelled, or flung him headlong into the lions’ den (Daniel 6:16). We also don’t know if he prayed in desperation as he noticed his surrounding roommates, or did he simply continue his usual regimen of praying three times each day? What we know is that God answered his prayer and sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths (Daniel 6:22).

What a privilege it is to know that God sees our plights, hears our prayers, and answers with our good in mind. What a wonderful God we serve!