May 25, 2023 — Psalm 40

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. 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. He put a new song in my mouth, 

a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.” Psalm 40:1-10 

“Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us”, says the Psalmist. As humans, we tend to be short term observers. In other words, we are really good at worrying about and fussing over the now but have a harder time looking to the future. Which means, of course, that, though the Lord has plans for each one of us, we are really good at being short-sighted. But could the Lord have any other options? If you knew, of course, that by the end of your life you will have three houses and plenty of cash in the bank, would or could that change the decisions you make right now? I am afraid it would — and not necessarily for the better.  

Of course, the writer of this Psalm states that he was lifted from a “slimy pit — out of the mud and mire; and (the Lord) set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” And this was all possible because, as the Psalmist states, he “waited patiently for the Lord.” None of us want to remain in the pit — in the worst of situations — waiting for the Lord to act. But perhaps that is not what our perspective should be. Rather than looking at is as “waiting, wondering if the Lord will act” — we should focus on “waiting, knowing that the Lord WILL act.” 

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you became obedient to death and your name was exalted above all others. Teach us always to do the Father’s will, so that, made holy by your obedience and united to your sacrifice, we can know your great love in times of sorrow and sing a new song to our God now and forever. 

Amen.