Psalm 40

Read Psalm 40

“I waited patiently for the Lord.” David had a story to tell—the story of his own spiritual life. In a time when David greatly needed the help of the Lord, he waited for God and the Lord heard him and delivered him from “the pit of destruction.”

God did even more than that for David. He put his feet on solid ground and gave him a new song to sing. David knew that the story of the Lord's saving grace that he had experienced had to be shared with others. “Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”

It would have been easy for David to place his confidence in the proud and mighty men around him. Instead he discovered the blessedness of the man who “makes the Lord his trust.” God could do wondrous deeds that were far beyond compare. It might be difficult to win the attention of important people, but the Lord's “thoughts” toward His beloved people were very rich and full.

Who was this great God for whom David waited? What did He demand of those who would worship Him? David explained that the Lord was not pleased with vast quantities of sacrificial offerings, even though He had given Israel commandments concerning these in His Law. What He really wanted was one man who would be able to say with perfect sincerity, “Your law is within my heart.”

David knew that God would be gracious to those who feared the Lord. He spoke of God's “steadfast love” and “faithfulness” to “the great congregation.” He knew that the Lord would continue to be merciful to him and to all the faithful. Though he might have been overwhelmed by his own iniquities, he was confident that the Lord would deliver him from trouble and preserve him. Others who sought to destroy him would be put to shame. Yet all who sought the Almighty would be able to sincerely testify, “Great is the Lord.”

Because Jesus, the great Man of holiness has come, we have great assurance that all the requirements of the Lord have truly been met. As we learn of His life and ministry we find Him to be the one Man who has secured for us all the blessings of salvation. He alone could say to His Father, “Behold, I have come; I delight to do your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.”

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Almighty God, You have helped us and have given us joy. We were mired down in trouble. Then we remembered that Your Son came and delivered us. He obeyed Your law from the heart. He testified to His great success through His resurrection. Help us again today. Help us to remember Him. He will deliver us in our daily struggle, and we will rejoice and be glad in Him. Be near to Your people, O Lord.