Water encompassed me to the point of death. The great deep engulfed me, weeds were wrapped around my head. I descended to the roots of the mountains. The earth with its bars was around me forever, but You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God.

                                                                                                                       Jonah 2:5-6 

Jonah continues with the theme of thanksgiving for God’s rescuing him from the sea and certain death. He is rather descriptive in explaining just how dire were his circumstances. Water was all around, weeds were wrapped around his head, and he was descending into the very depths of the sea. With this explanation, it is not difficult to see why the great fish was God’s way of plucking Jonah from the grip of his destruction. Jonah’s declaration, “But You have brought up my life from the pit” is a nice summation of God’s deliverance.

God’s redemptive action and deliverance “from the pit” was quite literal for Jonah but this phrase is used throughout scripture as a way of explaining God’s spiritual deliverance as well. There is no better example of this than in the words of David. Consider the following: 

I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                       Psalm 40:1-3

1. As Christians, spiritual deliverance comes by faith (waiting patiently).

To “wait on the Lord” is to wait expectantly. It is a confidence in knowing that He will redeem any and every situation in which we may find ourselves. As believers, we put no confidence in the flesh, meaning that we do not rely on our own actions nor do we trust the behavior of others as a way of establishing our righteousness. Our confidence is solely in the power of what Jesus Christ has accomplished on the cross on our behalf. We find spiritual deliverance when we place our faith in Him alone.

2. As Christians, we can know that God hears our prayers.

Believers have direct access to the throne of grace because our right of entry has been secured through Jesus. We are to approach Him with confidence and boldness knowing that He will provide us with the grace and mercy required for the situation. But faith has to be a part of this bold access into the throne room. Without it, we are no different than the person who questions whether or not God will even answer. Spiritual deliverance comes when we know that God will hear our requests.

3. As Christians, God has delivered us from the pit of destruction.

Being delivered from the “pit of destruction” means that we are forever saved from eternal judgment. We are moved from the spiritually dead to those who are spiritually alive. There is now no condemnation for us and it is on the basis of faith, not works. Religious people often struggle with this concept because they are (in one way or another) relying on their morality rather than Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. But for the one who refuses to be placed under a works-based philosophy and relies solely on Jesus, spiritual deliverance and freedom is theirs to enjoy.

4. As Christians, our feet have been set upon a solid, spiritual foundation.

With deliverance comes a solid, spiritual foundation. These two work in tandem as God moves us from destruction to His foundation. The rock is Jesus Christ. Standing on the rock means trusting in His deliverance, not ours. Living our lives “on the rock” is trusting Jesus for everything. The old hymn declares, ”On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”* “All other ground” includes our efforts to access God. Spiritual deliverance comes as we rely solely on the solid rock of Christ.

5. As Christians, God’s deliverance should yield authentic worship (a new song).

When God put a new song in David’s mouth, He was giving him something to sing about. As believers, we have something to sing about everyday. Our lives have been delivered from the pit and we are now living with our feet firmly placed on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. This is not religion rather it is a dynamic, personal, and intimate relationship with Jesus. We should not wait until “church” to worship. We should be praising God “all the day long.” Spiritual deliverance should yield authentic worship in the life of every believer.

As believers, we should be able to personally identify with these characteristics of spiritual deliverance. Are we trusting in God in everything? Are we certain that He hears our prayers? Have we experienced deliverance “from the pit?” Are we now living with our feet firmly planted on the solid rock of Jesus Christ? Are we enjoying authentic worship as a result of His spiritual deliverance?

Jonah was delivered from certain physical calamity. As Christians, we have been delivered spiritually. Give God thanks today for His redemptive power in your life!

*My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less, Edward Mote (1797-1874)