The author of Psalm 40 is David. He shares with us that doing God's will sometimes means waiting patiently. While we wait, we can love God, serve others, and tell others about him.
Psalm 40:1-4 - "I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. 2-He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3-He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. 4-Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."
Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from waiting: God (1) lifted him out of his despair; (2) set his feet on a rock; (3) gave him a firm place to stand and (4) put a new song of praise in his mouth. Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through trial of waiting.
Psalm 40:7,8 - "Then I said, 'Here I am, I have come - it is written about me in the scroll. 8-I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart."
"I desire to do your will, O my God." Jesus portrayed this attitude of obeying and serving God (John 4:34; 5:30). He came as the prophets foretold, proclaiming the Good News of God's righteousness and forgiveness of sins.
John 4:34 - "My food", (spiritual nourishment) said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work."
John 5:30 - "By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me."
David said he would speak of God's faithfulness and salvation to those around him. When we feel the impact of God's righteousness on our lives, we cannot keep it hidden. We want to tell other people what God has done for us. If God's faithfulness has changed your life, don't be timid. It is natural to share a good bargain with others or recommend a skillful doctor, so it should also feel natural to share what God has done for us.
Psalm 40:9 - "I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, as you know, O Lord ... "
When we think of faithfulness, a friend or a spouse may come to mind. People who are faithful to us accept and love us even when we are unlovable. Faithful people keep their promises, whether promises of support or promises made in our marriage vows. God's faithfulness is like human faithfulness, only perfect. His love is absolute, and his promises are irrevocable. He loves us in spite of our constant bent toward sin, and he keeps all the promises he has made to us, even when we break our promises to him.
Psalm 40:10 - "I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly."
Psalm 40 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Blessed is the man
who makes the LORD his trust,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, O Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us.
No one can recount to you;
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but my ears you have pierced;
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
I do not conceal your love and your truth
from the great assembly.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from us, O Lord;
may your love and your truth always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased O LORD, to save me;
O LORD, come quickly to help me.
14 May all who seek to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation always say,
“The Lord be exalted!"
17 Yet I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O my God, do not delay.