Psalm 40:1

Psalm 40:1

Wait patiently

Psalm 40 continues some of the laments of its two predecessors, David is still ashamed of his sin and the disastrous consequences that have followed on from his disobedience. He is still aggravated by the gloating of his enemies and their desire to see him gone. However, this Psalm starts with praise and a growing awareness of God’s greatness, His deliverance and His blessings. Our songwriter is on the road to restoration although there is still quite a long way to go. I wonder if this mirrors your own experience? I can certainly see myself reflected here, how gracious of the Lord God to befriend a man like David and grant Him greatness and yet allow us to share his vulnerabilities and his shame as he wears his heart on his sleeve. He is both a great man in worldly terms and a humble and vulnerable human being before the Lord. It would serve a us all well to learn from this. 

 

V1        It goes without saying that there is not much point in getting impatient with God! In Psalm 90:4 Moses is credited with the following statement, “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.” Peter picked up on this in his second letter chapter 3:8, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  It is in this context that we have to learn to wait patiently. The Lord will act, everything works to a plan; a plan so minute and complex in detail that all the other strands have to come together perfectly, at the same time, in order for His perfect will to be fulfilled. When you think about it, that could involve dozens of people, all interacting and being led by the Holy Spirit at the same time. If our God can activate and supervise billions of galaxies stretched across the Immensity of space, His involvement with us is well within His capabilities. So, yes, He has heard our cry and He will answer. But wait for his response because it involves the lives of others and it may take time to work out. Hallelujah, what a Father we have!

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