I have fallen a few times in a pit. First of all what is the meaning of a pit in the bible?
The Old Testament. “Pit” denotes a large hole in the ground. Pits were used to catch wild animals ( Eze 19:1-8 ) or to collect water for drinking (“cisterns, ” Deut 6:11 ). Sometimes they were used as dungeons or prisons ( Gen 37:24 ; Exod 12:29 ; Jer 38:6 ).
Very often, however, “pit” is used figuratively. For example, enemies seek to harm the psalmist by “digging a pit” for his life ( Psalm 35:7 ). Commonly it is a metaphor for Sheol (“the grave, ” Psalm 16:10 ) or death ( Psalm 30:9 ). Since God did not reveal the hope of resurrection and the glories of heaven until late in Old Testament times, many expressions are quite negative. Everyone dies, so no one can avoid the pit ( Psalm 49:9 ). It is a place of destruction ( Isa 38:17 ), a dark and deep place where the dead are without strength, forsaken by the living, and forgotten by God ( Psalm 88:3-6 ). There is no thanksgiving, praise, or hope there ( Psalm 38:1-8 ).
The New Testament. In the New Testament “pit” is used literally of a place into which an animal ( Matt 12:11 ; Luke 14:5 ) or the blind ( Matt 15:14 ; Luke 6:39 ) might fall (the latter is also a figure for the spiritually blind Pharisees). In addition, it is used metaphorically for an underworld dungeon: a gloomy prison for the fallen angels ( 2 Peter 2:4 ) or a bottomless abyss for Satan during the millennium ( Rev 20:1-3 ).
The first pit I fell in was when I was lured by a family member to study medicine although my grade in mathematics was poor and I’d never studied chemistry or physics in my baccalaureate. The result was that I spent three years trying but not succeeding and lamenting, being stuck at home depressed and not understanding much of my biochemistry homework. At the end of those three years, unknown to me, the good Lord rescued me as I was allowed to choose the degree I wanted; I escaped the dungeon and I studied English at university. That was great.
Conclusion: don’t try to please anybody if it’s not your heart’s desire! Not even family members as only the Lord knows people’s hearts.
The second time I fell in a pit was when I made a reckless decision. By then I had a wonderful teaching position in the UK, you could say that everything was hunky dory but I wanted more, I was not satisfied, not content, even though, I had everything to lead the ‘good life’. The school pastor tried to talk to me out of this reckless decision but I ignored him thinking I knew better , let’s call it pride. I left this school and regretted it straight away, I made a terrible mistake. My world was turned upside down and I nearly lost everything. In my despair, I cried out to the Lord and the Lord being gracious came to my rescue, helped me resettle in Manchester, and healed my wounds. In September 2006, I accepted Jesus-Christ in my life as my Saviour and King and by his grace and mercy, I’m still standing! Glory to God!
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’[a] or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”