Psalm 40
I waited patiently and expectantly for the Lord;
and He inclined to me and heard my cry.
He brought me up out of a horrible pit of destruction and turmoil, out of the miry clay,
and He set my feet upon a rock, giving me a firm place to stand and establishing my path.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God.
Many will see this and fear the Lord with reverence, and they will trust confidently in Him.
PULLED OUT OF THE PIT
In previous chapters, I mentioned that I was a churchgoer — and I was. But not because I wanted to be. I was forced to go.
We were given prizes for attending. I still have a book from 1971 with photos of the UK, given as a Sunday school prize. At that stage, I was mostly interested in getting things. It was all about me — my wants and my interests.
When I reached Class 4, I looked around wondering who I could upset first. The unlucky target was a rather stout boy who sat by the window. I often found myself at his desk teasing and tormenting him. Ironically, he was more religious than I was. He attended youth groups on Friday nights, Saturday nights, and church twice on Sundays. I used to think, “He needs to get a life!”
So he became the target of my anger. I punched him, pulled his hair, shouted at him — and yet he never responded. Everyone else reacted, but not him. It puzzled me: what is wrong with this guy?
Our class became Class 5, and yes — we were still in the same class. Very frustrating. Our teacher, Mr Scott, once said to him, “You will never get Keith to become a Christian.” How wrong he was.
He kept inviting me to meetings on Saturday nights. My response was basically, “I’d rather cut my toenails with a hacksaw.”
But he kept asking. Eventually I gave in — not because I was interested, but just to get him to stop.
So one Saturday night I was allowed out of the house. My parents should probably have known better.
We met and went up to Moorlands Gospel Hall. The place was packed. I remember thinking, what is going on here?
We began the meeting. Hymns were sung. People stood and shared how Jesus had changed their lives. It meant nothing to me at the time — it all went over my head.
Then the preacher stood up, Victor Jack from Suffolk. He spoke about what would happen if Jesus returned that very night. I remember feeling uneasy and even a little afraid. I had never heard anything like it.
He said that Jesus is the only answer.
At the end, he said he would go into a side room, and if anyone wanted to speak with him, they could knock on the door.
All I can describe it as is this: it was as if my eyes were opened. I turned to Andrew and said, “I’m going into that room.” His jaw dropped.
We arrived just before someone else. If they had gone in first, I might have backed out. But I was ushered inside.
Victor took me through the booklet Journey into Life by Norman Warren. I prayed at the end and meant it.
I went home and told my parents, “I’ve become a Christian.” My father simply replied, “You should have been home earlier.”
But something had changed that night. I had passed from death to life.
In 2024, I was able to meet my dear friend Andrew again, and also see Victor once more — now 87 years old. He welcomed me and my family into his home and church.
I owe them both a debt I can never repay. On that night, I was truly pulled out of the pit.
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
Salvation from sin through Christ is a miracle. It cannot be achieved through good works or any human religion.
I know this, because I tried.
Going to church does not make you a Christian. Sitting in a burger restaurant does not make you a hamburger.
What saves a person is what Christ has done on the cross. He brings us to God as the Saviour and divine substitute — the One who died in our place.
I was not good enough to come to God on my own. I needed someone to take my sin. That One is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
The moment I trusted Him, I was justified and accepted by the Father. I was sealed by the Holy Spirit. It was He who opened my eyes and my heart that cold February night.
We can share the gospel and explain the truth, but only the Holy Spirit can open blind eyes and bring true life.
Every born-again believer is a trophy of God’s grace — given a new heart, a new nature, and a new direction.
They are now on the pilgrim road. I thank God that I am on that road.
I am a living miracle of God’s grace.
Are you?