Monday
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.
David attests to God’s response when he cried out to Him. The psalmist knew that to pursue other, worldly ways of rescue would only lead to emptiness and heartache, but waiting for the Lord, he would find deliverance, relief, joy, and a story of God’s faithfulness to share with others.
- Where are you waiting for the Lord right now? How does it feel?
- When have you experienced God setting your feet on a rock?
- What story of God’s deliverance do you have to share with others?
Gracious God, it is difficult to be patient at times, waiting for you to incline your ear and rescue me. Give me the trust I need to wait for you, knowing that you will lift me up and secure my feet on solid ground. Remind me of your past faithfulness and give me the courage to share my story with others in ways that bring you glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday
Psalm 40:4-5
4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.
In this psalm of David, we read that by experience he knows that those who are happiest are the ones who have put their trust, not in the proud who think they have something to offer, or in those who think other things have something to offer, but in God. He remembers and speaks of God’s wondrous deeds and character, more than enough to satisfy his mind, heart, and soul.
- What does it mean to you to make the Lord your trust?
- What makes it difficult to rest in the Lord’s trust?
- Where have you experienced God’s wondrous deeds and thoughts toward you of late?
Gracious God, were I to count the number of times you have provided for me, thought of me, and reached out to me, they would outnumber the sand. Thank you that even when we stray from the happiness of trust in You, You continue to love and reach out for us. Turn our eyes and hearts back to you, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wednesday
Psalm 40:6-8
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.
David is affirming that rather than sacrifice and burnt offering, God wants his ears and his willingness to say, “Here I am.” In the presence of God, David is able to hear God’s voice and desires to him and with delight follow Him.
- Are there things you do that distract you from listening for God’s voice?
- What does it look like for you to sit in God’s presence and say, Here I am?
- As you sit this day, what are you hearing that might be a nudge from God?
Gracious God, sometimes it is easier to stay busy doing all the things we think bring you pleasure, and never stop to cultivate our relationship with you through listening. We commit our ears to you this day, with open hearts saying, Here I am, asking that you would speak your will to us and help us to listen and find delight in following you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thursday
Psalm 40:9-10
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
David has borne witness to the goodness of God in his life. He has stories of how God has showed him faithfulness, salvation, steadfast love and has shared it with others. We all have stories of God showing up for us as we put our trust in Him, and we are encouraged to follow David’s example of telling others.
- When have you been encouraged another bearing witness to God’s goodness?
- How have you experienced the faithfulness, salvation, and steadfast love of God recently?
- Who needs to hear about it and how can you bear witness to God’s character?
Gracious God, thank you for the many ways that you deliver us, your followers, as we walk the road of salvation. You have shown up in many ways for us, and we pray that we will not keep silent, but will be willing to tell our stories and bear witness to your faithfulness in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Friday
Psalm 40:11-12
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.
12 For evils have encompassed me
without number;
my iniquities have overtaken me
until I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.
David expresses the challenge when we come from a time of deep devotion, celebration and worship of God back into our routines or daily realities, when we remember our propensity to choose evil and feel the weight of the evil around us. This is where the rubber meets the road, where he desperately needs the mercy, steadfast love, and faithfulness of God that he has been speaking of.
- When have you experienced a “mountain top” moment, followed by a difficult time of transition back to the normal routine or a difficult situation?
- What attributes of God do you lean into in those moments?
- Where are you now in needing God to show up?
Gracious God, thank you that we do not worship or experience in a vacuum, but in the realities of life and the difficulties that we encounter. Remind us of your character on those days and in those seasons where we desperately need you and help us to put our trust in you to love us and to never leave us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.