Psalm 40:1-17 ------
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hey Readers! Well I know that is a lot of verses, but check it out, there is a lot of wealth in there.
So, let's meditate on this massive piece of word. First, think of five words or phrases that would describe your life. Journal them. Now, are there any words or phrases from this Psalm that you can use to describe your life? Jot them down.
In this particular Psalm the most vivid image that David uses to describe his life is a deep dark empty place, with no easy way out. Ever feel like that, like you're trapped in a big dark place? What is it in your life that makes it feel so terrible? A particular event? A relationship? A habit? Picture the pit that you might be in, in your mind... the depth, how much effort it takes to get out, etc. Now put Jesus into the picture. Picture him with arms wide open. Not outside the pit calling you to Him, but right in there with you. He is willing to go to the darkest places to save you.
Can you hear Him say, "And surely I am with you always, even to the end of age."? Can you hear Him tell you that He wants to lift you out of the pit? Think about that, He's not commanding you to get out of there on your own, He's asking you to let Him lift you out!
Pray over these questions, and as you do, try to write out your own Psalm. Don't worry about making it sound like the ones in the bible. Make it sound like you. From you to God. A prayer.
Picture a very dark depth, made ten thousand times brighter by the light of life.
-Colton.
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