Psalm 40

There are not enough word to tell of God's greatness and everlasting love.  He is always true and faithful!

In this song, we are encouraged to recall and remember all He has done for us, and to anticipate all He will do when troubles come.

David likens God's rescue of him to being pulled out of a miry pit.   Imagine walking in mire and clay.  You must watch every step, picking your way carefully lest a misstep sink you!  Each step is precarious.  The path isn't straight...you zig-zag your way across as you try to get to more solid ground.  It is messy and tedious.  And falls are sure to happen.

Such is the way of life sometimes.  We find ourselves in precarious situations that we must tread lightly through, often mis-stepping and falling headlong into the mess.

But David knew what to do.   He kept on, and as he did, he trusted on and waited for the Lord, knowing that rescue would come.  He didn't turn to others for help:  friends, other gods, wealth, 'get out of jail free' schemes, etc.  He trusted in God alone. Knowing that the offerings and sacrifices of the Hebrews were instituted by God, he still says they are useless without a heart that trusts and obeys.  God's desire is for the sacrifice of a contrite heart and a broken spirit.....recognizing our helplessness before Him, and trusting Him. He wants our faithfulness, no matter what we face.  He wants genuine repentance and faith.

Because of God's great love for him, David is committed to praising Him!

But then new troubles come.  David notes both internal and external problems in verse 12.  Evils surround him, and his sin overwhelms him.  He asks God to act!  He says, 'hurry up"!  Please shame my enemies and put them down!  Turn the tables on them!  

But this isn't spoken by a man who is proud and self righteous.  David isn't pleading for his rights, or because he thinks himself beyond treatment like this.  

He humbly acknowledges that he is poor and needy........helpless to help himself, really.
But God can help!     So David does not despair.  But waits..........

In my life, I am often aware of the great paradox between trusting God and waiting for Him, yet childishly demanding that He do something! Recently there have been (and are!)  several things that I prayed about for a long time.....years even.  I didn't understand why He didn't answer (i.e. do what I wanted Him to do).  Eventually, though,  I had to come to the point of acknowledging His sovereignty, and all-encompassing knowledge of both me and my circumstances.  I told Him that I trusted Him, yet acted like I didn't.  I have learned to ask Him for what seems to me to be best, based on the limited knowledge I have, but in the same breath ask Him to act according to what HE sees and knows.  Most of the time, my wants and desires seem to be not what He had in mind.   But many times, when I can see how He is working, I see that it is indeed best, even better than what I'd had in mind!

But He is gracious and kind, even when His 'heavy hand' is on us.  And He will do what is best.
So,  I trust Him.   And I will wait upon Him.  For He is good, all the time.