Key Verse: “I delight to do Your will, O my God.” (Psalm 40:8 NKJV)
1-3 I waited and waited and waited for God.
At last he looked; finally he listened.
He lifted me out of the ditch,
pulled me from deep mud.
He stood me up on a solid rock
to make sure I wouldn’t slip.
He taught me how to sing the latest God-song,
a praise-song to our God.
More and more people are seeing this:
they enter the mystery,
abandoning themselves to God.
Reflection: (Psalm 40:1-3)
Waiting for God to help us is not easy, but David received four benefits from waiting:
- God lifted him out of his despair.
- God set his feet on solid ground.
- God steadied him as he walked.
- God put a new song of praise in his mouth.
Often blessings cannot be received unless we go through the trial of waiting.
4-5 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God,
turn your backs on the world’s “sure thing,”
ignore what the world worships;
The world’s a huge stockpile
of God-wonders and God-thoughts.
Nothing and no one
comes close to you!
I start talking about you, telling what I know,
and quickly run out of words.
Neither numbers nor words
account for you.
6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you—
that’s not what you’re after.
Being religious, acting pious—
that’s not what you’re asking for.
You’ve opened my ears
so I can listen.
Reflection: (Psalm 40:6)
The religious ritual of David’s day involved sacrificing animals in the Tabernacle.
David said these acts were meaningless unless done for the right reasons.
Today we often make rituals of going to church, taking Communion, or paying tithes.
These activities are also empty if our reasons for doing them are selfish.
God doesn’t want these sacrifices and offerings without an attitude of devotion to Him.
The prophet Samuel told Saul, “Obedience is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Make sure that you give God the obedience and lifelong service he desires from you.
7-8 So I answered, “I’m coming.
I read in your letter what you wrote about me,
And I’m coming to the party
you’re throwing for me.”
That’s when God’s Word entered my life,
became part of my very being.
Reflection: (Psalm 40;7-8)
“I take joy in doing your will, 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 of God’s righteousness. and forgiveness of sins.
In Hebrews 10:5-10, verses 6-8 are applied to Jesus.
9-10 I’ve preached you to the whole congregation,
I’ve kept back nothing, God—you know that.
I didn’t keep the news of your ways
a secret, didn’t keep it to myself.
I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough.
I didn’t hold back pieces of love and truth
For myself alone. I told it all,
let the congregation know the whole story.
Reflection: (Psalm 40:9-10)
David said he would speak of God’s faithfulness and salvation to those around him.
When we realize 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 be natural to share what God has done for us.
Reflection: (Psalm 40:10)
When we think of faithfulness, a friend or spouse may come to mind.
Friends who are faithful accept and love us, even when we are unlovable.
Faithful people keep their promises.
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.
11-12 Now God, don’t hold out on me,
don’t hold back your passion.
Your love and truth
are all that keeps me together.
When troubles ganged up on me,
a mob of sins past counting,
I was so swamped by guilt
I couldn’t see my way clear.
More guilt in my heart than hair on my head,
so heavy the guilt that my heart gave out.
13-15 Soften up, God, and intervene;
hurry and get me some help,
So those who are trying to kidnap my soul
will be embarrassed and lose face,
So anyone who gets a kick out of making me miserable
will be heckled and disgraced,
So those who pray for my ruin
will be booed and jeered without mercy.
16-17 But all who are hunting for you—
oh, let them sing and be happy.
Let those who know what you’re all about
tell the world you’re great and not quitting.
And me? I’m a mess. I’m nothing and have nothing:
make something of me.
You can do it; you’ve got what it takes—
but God, don’t put it off.