Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 40 – 6-10-20
This Psalm is unique in that it starts off with thanksgiving and praise and then moves to a prayer of petition. Psalms 40:1-3, 1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
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.(ESV) This is a song of testimony of how the Lord hears our cries and picks us up out of the pit of our despair, replacing it with trust and hope in the Lord. David wanted everyone to hear the testimony of what the Lord had done for him and fear, reverence, glorify the Lord with him.
David was known as “a man after God’s own heart”. This was not because he was perfect. David failed and paid for it with a family that hated him and did not follow the Lord. But David’s testimony was this: Psalms 40:7-8, 7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; 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.”(ESV) The secret to our heart seeking the way David did after God is to be in His Word, knowing it, memorizing it, and obeying it with delight. Our hearts need to reveal and tell the truth of God’s faithfulness and lovingkindness to us so that all can see His Greatness!
Whenever we see our God for Who He is, we then realize how far short we fall, how sinful we really are.(vs. 11-12) This brings David to petition the Lord for forgiveness and deliverance from his sins.(vs. 13-16) Then we are all returned to the heart of worship as we celebrate with David God’s love and salvation for all who seek Him.(vs. 16) Celebrate today the God who cares and thinks of us in our need, providing His help and deliverance.(vs. 17)
Father, forgive me for not testifying of Your greatness. You truly have heard me prayers and been my Rock, Fortress, Deliverer, Helper and Savior. May I stay in Your Word, Delighting in You and obeying Your will. Thank you for hearing my prayers and taking care of my needs. In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob