Psalm
40 reminds me of the introduction to the sports show that promised to
cover “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat” while
showing highlights of competitors. Their goal was to take us inside
the sporting event to provide information about the individual’s
reactions and emotions. There are some things in life that cannot be
fully understood until you have experienced them personally. How can
you fully describe the birth of a child, or the loss of a spouse, or
a terminal medical diagnosis? Our lives are filled with so many
highs and lows, but there are very few that stand out on the
highlight reel. In this psalm David describes the exhilaration of
receiving God’s forgiveness. He begins, “I
waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry“.
Waiting is easier when the outcome is certain. Waiting for a
delayed flight is very different from waiting for the sunrise. David
understood the certainty of God’s promise. He then describes the
experience, “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“.
Experiencing God’s unconditional love is incomparable. In this
one sentence he also describes the alternative. Many times in life
we only gain perspective after the fact. I find the bathroom usually
looks pretty clean until I turn the light on! Do you know peace with
God? Zechariah 13:9 is written for the nation and for the
individual, “They
will call on My name and I will answer them“.
God’s promises are unbreakable.
David
continues to describe the change in his life, “He
put a new song in my mouth“.
This new song is one of hope and confidence in God. He adds,
“Blessed
is the man who makes the Lord his trust“.
David also contrasts this confidence in God to the burden of trying
to perfectly follow every requirement of the Law. “Sacrifice
and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt
offerings and sin offerings you did not require“.
Today, many Christians live in a performance-based faith. They add
religious duties and God-centered tasks as requirements for
Salvation. If you were raised with a “works” salvation, consider
this; my children are born into my family and nothing can make them
any more or any less my child. True, when they follow the rules of
the house it is more pleasant for all of us, but, when they help out
with joy rather than out of obligation, they bless me. If you are
not serving God with gratitude, stop. Have you first received the
Gift He gave you?
Next
David tells us where to look to find these truths, “it
is written about Me in the scroll“.
People often ask how to know God’s will. Every appliance and
gadget comes with an owner’s manual. They are usually filled with
warnings, and care instructions. When you ignore these warnings you
can end up doing damage, yet often we don’t even look at it until
something goes wrong. David does not read God’s Word like a
technical bulletin, but like a love letter, “Your
law is within my heart“.
And he does not hesitate to share his experiences with the people
around him, “I
speak of Your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal Your love
and Your truth from the great assembly“.
At the center of David’s faith was his confidence in God’s
faithfulness.
“Do
not withhold Your mercy from me, O Lord“.
David did not trust his own ability to make himself worthy of God’s
love, rather he knew it pleases God to extend mercy, “Be
pleased, O Lord, to save me“.
He prays for us as well, “But
may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You“.
In terms of righteousness, David said, “I
am poor and needy… You are my help and my deliverer“.
Do you desire to personally experience a spiritual victory? This
race begins on your knees.
“I
will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will
be their God, and they will be My people”
(Jeremiah 31:33).