Read: Psalm 40
Watch: https://bibleproject.com/videos/slow-to-anger/
Psalm 40:1 1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
How many of us can say with pure honesty, I have waited patiently for the Lord?
Most of us would readily confess we struggle with the opposite, impatience. We seem to want what we want, when we want it, and how we want it. This Psalm of David is a confessional prayer-statement. I waited for the Lord, and He heard my cry, AND He helped me.
Not only did the Lord hear, but He lifted David out of despair, mud, and mire. Even more, the Lord placed him on solid ground, steading his walk. What are the results? “He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise!” The result? Many will see, not only be amazed at what the Lord has done, but put their trust in Him!
Isn’t this the pattern of sharing our story, our testimony? We wait patiently on the Lord, we experience His provision, His providence, His rescue! Then we praise Him in word and song, a hymn of praise to our God!
In the rest of David’s song of praise and confession to the goodness of God, he declares the joy of those who trust in the Lord. He states he cannot even count all the blessings, wonders, and plans of the Lord! He states the Lord does not need animal sacrifice, He takes joy in His children doing His will and having His Word written on our heart. The result, we cannot keep from sharing His Good News! We cannot help but share God’s faithfulness and power to save. How great is our God? So great that we can never sing and shout of His unfailing love and faithfulness… though we will try… and spend eternity singing a hymn of praise to our God!
Pray: Lord, I wait upon you! Please hear my cry! Rescue me! Cause me to sing a hymn of praise to you! May I proclaim and declare your goodness and share with all your Word that is written on my heart! How great you are, my God! I praise you!
Discussion Questions:
- The Reality of Impatience
Most of us struggle with impatience, wanting things “what we want, when we want it, and how we want it.” Where is the tension of impatience showing up most in your life right now (e.g., in a relationship, a career transition, a prayer request, or a personal struggle)? What makes waiting so difficult in that specific area? - Identifying Your “Mud and Mire”
The devotional mentions that God doesn’t just hear us; He lifts us out of “despair, mud, and mire” and places us on solid ground. Sometimes our “mire” is an external circumstance, but often it is an internal state of mind. What does the “mud and mire” look like for you today, and what would it look like for God to “steady your walk” in the midst of it? - The Power of a “New Song”
David’s patience resulted in a “new song to sing, a hymn of praise,” which caused others to see, be amazed, and trust in the Lord. Think about a time when God brought you through a season of waiting and rescue. Have you shared that “song” with anyone, or are you keeping that testimony to yourself? Who in your life right now might benefit from hearing your rescue story? - Desiring Obedience Over Ritual
God doesn’t need “animal sacrifices” or rigid religious rituals; instead, He takes joy in His children doing His will and having His Word written on their hearts. What is the difference between simply “going through the motions” of faith and actually having God’s Word written on your heart? How can you practice the latter this week? (See below).
A Word about “Hiding His Word in our Heart.”
This “Summer of Psalms” we are challenging everyone to memorize portions of the Word. Plant the seeds of the Gospel in your heart, so that a harvest of praise will result.
In June, we are asking everyone to memorize Psalm 51:1-12 (Please note: children are being asked to memorize verses 10-12). For consistency and clarity, and understanding we are using the New Living Translation (NLT). Here is Psalm 51:1-12 for you to copy and paste.
Psalm 51
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3 For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.[a]
5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6 But you desire honesty from the womb,[b]teaching me wisdom even there.
7 Purify me from my sins,[c] and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.
9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit[d] from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.