OUT OF THE DEPTHS

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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I write this devotional from a place of reflection upon the events of my life over the last 12 months. One year ago today (February 12, 2024), I was attacked by a group of people that I trusted and loved. This began one of the hardest experiences in my ministry as well as in my personal life. 

In the moment, I could only see hurt and betrayal. I could not understand how the Lord could use the sins of others to help me grow and flourish as I learned to trust in the Lord’s provision and leadership. But today, one year on, I can actually say that I am grateful for the trial that I went through. I cried out to the Lord, and he met me in my need.

I want to share a passage of scripture that speaks in a way that at one time was aspirational to me but now thanks to the strong arm of the Lord, I can say that I have fully experienced the goodness of God described below: 

1 I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. 3 You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. 

4 Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. 5 For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6 When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” 7 LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. 8 To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: 9 “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? 10 Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help. ”

11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.

(Psalms 30:1-12 NIV11)

Praises

I will not speak ill of those who set themselves up to be my enemies as they were really opposing the Lord. They are his to discipline because they have used his name in vain. 

What I will do is agree with the praise given by the Psalmist in this passage. 

•   When we are attacked, damaged, or purposefully injured by others, it can and does lead us into hard and difficult places. Dark places that seem like they will last forever. 
•   Those who seek to do us harm do not care about how their actions continue to impact us and hurt us long after they have moved on to their next victim. 
•   In those hard times, it can seem as though we are on our own. In those dark days, it seems like no one else can understand our needs or identify with the impact their attacks have had on us.
•   In these days, we feel like we are drowning in our hurt and lost in the fog of uncertainty. 

Only Source

I have certainly felt this way many times in this last year. The only person I could turn to for understanding and help was the Lord. 

It was while I was struggling in these hard and difficult places that I finally embraced the Lord as my only source of hope and salvation. The Lord did not disappoint. 

Correction

The Lord used the sins of others to help me see my own sins and my own areas of need. 

As I drew close to the Lord for his help and comfort, he went to work in me. I could not sit back and blame others for their acts of evil without allowing the Lord to work in my heart first. 

The Lord used his word, his Spirit, and his people to help me move on from the various forms of arrogance and self-importance out of which I had been operating. I needed to step back and allow the Spirit to have his way in my heart. 

Through tears, my savior moved in me to call me into something better. He turned my wailing into healing and my sorrow into empathy for others. The Lord used my broken situation to bring me to the place of surrender. Thanks to the grace of the Lord, I too emerged from the pit a more grateful and loving man. 

Living Word

This Psalm will speak to some of you today in ways that it does not yet speak to me. But that is the beauty of the Word of God, it is living and active and speaks into our lives as we live them. 

As I reflect on that which was meant to harm me, I now see the loving hand of God at work, guiding me into his place of peace and joy. 

I agree with the Psalmist when he concluded, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.”

Thank you, Lord, for both the good days and the bad. In all things, you are worthy of praise. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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