Back in the early 90s, my family and I visited Puerto Rico. Along with my mom, we headed to the country to visit some cousins. A dusty dirt road led to their houses. Grass was everywhere and I parked the red1966 Oldsmobile on the grass about 30 yards away from the house. It was a nice sunny day. Maybe two hours after we were inside, it poured. Once all had dried, we decided to head to my mom’s place. The car, of course, was stuck in mud. After trying all kinds of things, we finally put some pieces of lumber underneath the rear tires, and with my wife at the wheel, I pushed hard. As the wheels spun, my wife was able to take off but not before an army of mud slapped the lower half of my body! I had been pelted with dirt galore!
I was probably a 32” waist at the time, but all my cousin could find were a pair of shorts probably size 38! I felt like those guys in western movies wearing a barrel up to their chests to cover their shame!
Aside from mud pits or mud fights, have you found yourself muddied recently? That is, caught up in life-damaging situations that has brought you shame? Whether it’s substance abuse or illicit affairs, there’s all type of dirt out there that pelts us right where it hurts-our dignity. Ditch the mudpies!
Muddied, Distorted!
Many people have found themselves in these situations. It’s not a justifiable thing. It’s what they have done afterwards that counts. One biblical character, King David, found himself in muddy waters (Oh, not collaborating with the singer bearing that name). Listen to him: “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).
David was rescued by God and given new direction in life. Is that what you need? If you’re deep in mud, you need out; but not by a guru or a following into higher transcendence, no, no hums or a-umm… No, you need rescuing by God into His kingdom. What is that new direction that God gave David? Check it out: “And he has put a new song in my mouth, and even praise unto our God; many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:3).
Like Adam and Eve, covering yourself with inappropriate fig-leaves (which wither in no time), or oversized shorts, won’t work. Too many people try covering their shame before God; it doesn’t work! “He who covers his sins, will not prosper” (Proverbs 28:13). So, what do I do? Read Isaiah 61:10
“I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.”
Go to God and get blanketed with God’s robe of righteousness! He’ll take away the “mud.” His cleansing power removes the stain of sin in your life! You won’t have to run home and change your garments cause Jesus cleanses you and declares you righteous before God’s eyes! No more muddied waters but Living Waters (John 7:38; Revelation 22:1-2)!
No more mud-cleaned!
God Bless!
Sam
Recommended Song: Sweet Glow of Mercy by Gary Chapman