Yesterday I was at the Lake taking photos. The water level is way down and has left parts of the lake bed exposed. There was one part of the shore that used to cut into the woods, but now was dry. As I started to cross it, I saw there were footprints that had sunken into the clay.I decided to take my chances. I had on flip flops and as I started to cross, my feet began to sink too. They went inches into the mud. It was like wet clay, and I could not pull my sandals back out, they actually came apart. I had to reach down and pull them with my hands. It was very unstable, and hard to walk on, I thought I might fall, with no traction, nothing solid to push against. Even though my shoes were off, I kept walking clumsily and finally made it to the other side. The mud squishing between my toes.
My sandals and feet were now covered with this clay. It was so sticky and thick and as I walked, I picked up more dirt. I tried to wash it at the waters edge, but it was hard to do. I needed a good powerful stream to get it off.This situation made me think of 2 scriptures:
King James Bible
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:2
But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2 Peter 2:22The first scripture made me think about how we, when we were in sin, we could not escape ourselves. It was like this slimy mud had a hold on us. We needed someone’s help to get us out. Then we needed a ground we could stand on so we could walk the right way. Praise God that Jesus did this for us!!! He came and rescued us. Then I thought about the second scripture…how, although we have been washed, will sometimes slip, or willfully sin, and when we do, it is so much like getting stuck in this unstable mud and having to be cleansed all over again. How foolish and ungrateful would that be?
When I got home, I got my garden hose out and put it on high pressure, I washed my sandals and feet and praised God that He has washed me and I am clean. I no longer have to fear the miry clay, that I will be stuck in it, as long as I am mindful of where I walk, as long as I walk on solid ground. When I was done, I walked on my stepping stones where my feet stayed clean, and my step was steady and sure.
Been singing this song all week, so I as was writing this, it just came into my heart!My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
Refrain
His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
Refrain
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
Words: Edward Mote, circa 1834; first appeared in Mote’s Hymns of Praise, 1836.
Music: Solid Rock, William B. Bradbury
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