From the Miry Clay to the Mission Field: A Reflection on Psalm 40:1-3
By Ojimi Mandela | Missionary
The journey of faith is rarely a straight line; it is often a series of valleys and peaks where God’s sovereignty meets human frailty. From my testimony, the transition from a place of deep depression and substance-seeking on a university campus to becoming a commissioned career missionary with Word of Life South Sudan is nothing short of a modern-day miracle. This transformation is perfectly mirrored in the poetic and prophetic words of Psalm 40:1-3. These verses do not merely tell a story of rescue; they provide a theological framework for understanding how God intercepts our rebellion and repositions us for His glory.
Outline of Psalm 40:1-3
To understand the depth of this passage, one must look at the progression of David’s experience with the Lord:
- The Posture of the Believer (Verse 1a): "I waited patiently for the Lord..." which highlights the necessity of divine timing and the recognition that human effort cannot manufacture spiritual deliverance.
- The Response of the Creator (Verse 1b): "...and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." which depicts a God who stoops down (inclines) to meet the suffering, proving that He is not distant but attentive.
- The Act of Deliverance (Verse 2a): "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay..." The "pit" symbolizes a state of helplessness, depression, or spiritual stuckness where the ground beneath is unstable.
- The Re-establishment of Identity (Verse 2b): "...and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."Deliverance is not just being pulled out; it is being placed on something solid. The "Rock" is the firm foundation of Christ.
- The Purpose of the Rescue (Verse 3): "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." The ultimate goal of rescue is a testimony that leads others to faith.
Central Teaching: Divine Initiative and Transformation
The central teaching of Psalm 40:1-3 is that salvation and restoration are entirely the work of God. The Psalmist does not climb out of the pit; he is brought up by the Lord. The passage teaches that when a person reaches the end of their own strength which is symbolized by the "miry clay", God’s grace intervenes to provide stability and a new direction.
Furthermore, it teaches the theology of the "New Song." A new song is a life that has been transformed by a fresh experience of God’s mercy. This transformation is not meant to be private; it is designed to be a public declaration so that "many shall see it" and put their trust in God. It moves the believer from a state of "lack of knowledge" to a state of joyful, active obedience (John 13:17).
Importance to My Testimony
The "Horrible Pit" of balancing being a student and having a dependent to sponsor
In my testimony, the "horrible pit" was not a metaphorical location, but a literal reality during three semesters of my university study at Nkumba University, Entebbe, Uganda. While attempting to upgrade my course and sponsor a dependent’s A-levels, the financial and academic weight became a "miry clay" that I could not navigate. I sought "masks" – alcohol and cigarettes – and eventually reached out for marijuana to numb the depression. Like the Psalmist, I was sinking, looking for an escape in the very things that lead to destruction (Hosea 4:6).
The God who "Inclined" through Unlikely Messengers
Psalm 40 says God "inclined" unto the cry of the sufferer. In my life, God inclined toward me through men I initially judged. I sought marijuana dealers, but God sent messengers. The very people I thought would lead me deeper into the pit were the ones God used to point me back to Jesus Christ. This was the moment God "brought me up." He intercepted my search for a substance and replaced it with a search for His Sovereignty.
Established on the Rock and Commissioned to Go
The "establishing of my goings" mentioned in verse 2 is vividly represented by my Confirmation of Commissioning with Word of Life Fellowship, Inc.. After six years of walking in obedience and trusting God’s preparation, I am no longer wandering in the shadows of substance abuse. Instead, my feet have been set upon the solid rock of missionary service.
On December 16, 2025, my status as a career missionary was confirmed. This is my "new song." I am now sent to the youth of South Sudan to carry out the command of Matthew 28:19-20. My testimony is the proof that the "night" of depression can be turned into a "day" of work for the Gospel.
Conclusion
Psalm 40:1-3 is the scriptural mirror of my life. It reminds me that I was once perishing for lack of knowledge, but through God’s grace, I was pulled from the clay and given a mission. As I serve with Word of Life South Sudan, my prayer is that "many shall see" my transformed life and, as the Psalm promises, "trust in the Lord". If I know these things, I am truly happy when I do them (John 13:17).
Join the Journey to South Sudan
The "New Song" God has put in my mouth is one I cannot sing alone. As I step onto the soil of South Sudan to reach a generation of youth with the Gospel, I am looking for partners who believe that no "pit" is too deep for God’s arm to reach.
How You Can Partner with Me:
Pray: The spiritual battle is real. Please pray for the hearts of the youth in South Sudan and for my strength as I labor in the field.
Give: Becoming a career missionary requires a team of financial supporters. Your monthly or one-time gift ensures that the message of the "Solid Rock" reaches those still sinking in the clay.
Share: Do you know someone struggling with depression or addiction? Share this post with them as a reminder that their story isn't over.
About the Author
A career missionary with Word of Life, Ojimi Mandela is dedicated to the holistic transformation of South Sudan through the ministry to the youth in partnership with the local churches in the country.
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