The God of Deliverance

Introduction

U2, 1983 Album “War” song 40!!!

Psalm 40 KJV 1900

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the Lord; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward: They cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; Mine ears hast thou opened: Burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: In the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: Yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: Lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest. I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation. Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: Let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: Mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me. Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; Let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil. Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame That say unto me, Aha, aha. Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: Let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer; Make no tarrying, O my God.

(Pray)

In our passage this morning we learn to trust God in every situation because He is faithful to deliver.

We are told in the tittle it was written to the chief musician, a Psalm of David. So, this was a song they would sing in the temple, like most of the Psalms are.

We don’t know the occasion for David’s writing, just that he was in deep despair. He is remembering how God rescued him from the pit in the past and he is asking God come through again.

I am glad we don’t know the details of what David was going through, because it allows this Psalm to become something we can all relate to.

There are times in all of our lives when we face circumstances that are beyond our control, and it makes us feel like we are trapped in a pit.

For example, many people are trapped in abusive relationships they can’t escape from. Others feel trapped in a job that is unsatisfying because there is no room to grow and advance. Some people are trapped by physical impairments that limit their bodies.

Millions of others are slaves to addictions, regret, rejection, depression, and mistakes they have made.

Sometimes we feel like we are drowning in our situation and the more we struggle the deeper we sink, and the higher we have to climb.

In Psalm 40 David wrote about a time when he was going through something so horrible he felt like he was trapped in a pit.

But by remembering how God had rescued him the first time, it gave him strength to face a new crisis in his life. And by sharing his experience he teaches us what to do when we feel trapped and helpless.

Also, as David wrote about what he was going through, the Holy Spirit took his words and used them prophetically to speak about Jesus.

The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus all appear in this Psalm. Christ our Savior descended into a horrible pit of death and died on a cross for our sin, but God powerfully lifted Him out by raising Him from the dead.

In the same way He can lift us up out of whatever situation we are in. What this Psalm teaches us is; how to be lifted out of the pit. There are three important truths we learn.

1 We cry out to the Lord for help and wait patiently for Him. Vs. 1-5

Before calling out to God and asking to be rescued, David remembered what God had brought him through in the past. He remembered how the Lord delivered him.

But notice how God didn’t immediately answer his prayer. In Vs. 1 He says, “I waited patiently.”

In the original language waited and patiently are the same word. It says, (qawvah qawvah) and it means, I waited and I waited. The repetition in Hebrew means something like, I waited a lifetime or it seemed like forever.

But finally, God rewarded his faith and patience, He rescued him and brought him to a better place.

Vs. 1 says, “He inclined to me and heard my cry.” We wait patiently for God, because He hears us.

When God didn’t immediately answer David he could have done what so many of us do. He could have given up on prayer. He could have threw in the towel. He could have blamed God for what he was going through.

But he didn’t do that. He kept praying. He kept holding on to his faith. He fully expected God to come through, and when He did, David testified about His goodness.

Notice Vs. 2, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”

David describes his pit experience as though he was sinking in quicksand. Throughout the Old Testament the pit is used as a metaphor and symbol of death.

For example Isaiah 38:18 says, “For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.”

In Genesis, we read about Joseph, who was thrown into a pit by his brothers. It was a dark moment in his life that seemed hopeless. Yet, this pit was not his end – it was a turning point that led to God’s purpose for his life.

Like Joseph, we too may find ourselves in dark places, but with God's help, we can rise above it all. Sometimes, the pit can lead to God’s purpose. (redemption).

Now, we don’t know what David’s circumstances were. But we know the Lord rescued him just in time. God lifted him out of his situation and planted him on a rock and that’s just another way saying a solid place in life.

Notice He gave David a new beginning. Vs. 3, “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.”

David was renewed. He was refreshed, and he sang the praises of God. He was overwhelmed with gratitude for what God had done for him.

And God can do the same thing in your life. He can renew you. He can fill your heart with joy and change your perspective of life.

Notice the purpose for David’s praise. Vs. 3 tells us, He wanted others to see, and to hear, and to trust the Lord for themselves.

He wanted his praise to be contagious and his confidence to rub off on those around him so they would have confidence in God.

What a great example David is for us to follow. When God delivers you from something, don’t forget to praise Him.

Don’t forget to testify about how good He is. The Bible says, “we are overcomers by the power of our testimony.” You don’t know the affect your praise can have.

Remember God has already proven How much He loves us, and how much He cares about us.

Vs 5. says, “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, And thy thoughts which are to us-ward:

They cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.”

You and I cannot begin to list all the incredible things God has done for us. And If He never does another thing for me He has already done enough.

Well, the history of Israel was full of wonderful works of God. Miracles He performed from the foundation of the world, to the forming of a people through Abraham, and delivering them from slavery in Egypt.

David wasn’t going to forget it. In fact, he was going to sing about it and make sure everyone remembered.

Someone once said, “The past is full of God’s miracles and the future is full of His plans.” And that is as true for us today as it was for Israel.

Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”

God has a purpose and a plan for your life. It’s a plan of hope and prosperity. But I’m not talking about the kind of prosperity that affects your check book. I’m talking about the kind of prosperity that affects your soul. We prosper even as our soul prospers, as we grow in our relationship with Him.

Jesus said “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” Are you living the abundant life in Christ? Are you growing in your relationship with Him?

Because God’s ultimate goal is that we be conformed to the image of His Son. And He is weaving everything together in your life and mine, both the good and the bad, so that we can accomplish His purpose.

Romans 8:28-29 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;”

Listen learning to wait on the Lord is one of the hardest things to do. Because when He doesn’t respond immediately and do what we want Him to do, we give up on God. We try to take matters into our own hands. But that is mistake.

God’s timing is different from ours. God uses our trials and our struggles to accomplish His purposes. So, until He chooses to deliver us, we continue to pray, and we wait for Him.

And to wait on God means more than just having patience it requires faith, hope, and confidence that He will do what He has promised.

You can be sure of this; whatever you are going through in life God is going to use it for your good and for His glory.

But, not only does this passage teach us about God’s deliverance, but it is a picture for us of salvation.

Before any of us were saved we were all trapped in the pit of sin. We were sinking in the mirey clay. And we cried out to God and He rescued us.

And He planted our feet on the Rock. And Jesus is the Rock that save us for all of eternity. And He has given us a new song to sing, the song of the redeemed, and we sing it so that others will hear and be saved.

2 We make a sacrificial commitment to God. Vs. 6-10. If we want to get out of the pit, we have to commit our lives to the one that can lift us out.

We are to follow the example of Christ of total dedication to God. Notice how David responded to being delivered in these verses. He recommitted his life to the Lord.

Psalm 40:6–8 “Sacrifice and meal offering You have not desired; My ears You have opened; Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart.””

The thought in these verses is that David’s heart was so full of joy because God was so good, he wanted to express it. In times past, offering a sacrifice would have been the proper thing to do. But now, David realized, God wanted his obedience. God wanted his heart, not his rituals.

The same thing is true in your life and mine. It is easy to give God your time, your works, your money. It is easy to volunteer to serve Him at church in some capacity. But it is hard to give Him your heart, to obey His Word and to live His will.

In case you are not aware the author of Hebrews takes these verses and applies them to Jesus in Hebrews 10:5-7. And the point is Jesus is the greatest example of being committed to God and obeying His will.

Christ humbled Himself unto death, even the death of the cross and God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above all names, and one day Jesus will reign as the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords for all eternity. His delight was to do the will of God over all of His human desires and He set the standard we should strive to follow.

I am reminded of the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was not only facing crucifixion but the weight of the sin of the world. And He prayed that cup would pass from Him. But, then He shows His unwavering commitment He says, “Never the less, not My will but your will be done.”

He sets the standard and He calls us to prioritize God’s will in our life, especially when we are struggling.

Notice the results of our obedience. Psalm 40:9–10 “I have proclaimed glad tidings of righteousness in the great congregation; Behold, I will not restrain my lips, O Lord, You know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have spoken of Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great congregation.”

When God’s Word is in our heart, we want to tell it to the world. David wanted to share the good news with the entire congregation of Israel.

He had been delivered. He was saved and he couldn’t keep it in. And that should be our response as well.

There are times in our life when our commitment to God will be tested. Whether it is at work or at School, there will be times when people are doing things they shouldn’t do, and saying things they shouldn’t say.

And if you feel challenged by them; invite them to church, invite them to lunch, and use that opportunity to tell them what God has done in your life. If nothing else, they will at least no where you stand.

It will not only strengthen your faith, but it will give you a chance to have an influence in the culture.

We have been delivered from the pit of sin and death and we should dedicate our lives to Christ.

I don’t know what pit you feel trapped by today, but I know Jesus is the one that can pull you out. Take your eyes off your problems and fix them on Jesus.

3 We pray for the Lord’s mercy and Protection Vs. 11-17.

After David spent time remembering how God delivered him in the past and recommitting his life to the Lord. He began to focus on the problem he was facing in that moment.

David was overwhelmed by his sin and his enemies. So, he does what we should do; he turned to the Lord in prayer.

Notice Vs. 11-13, 17, Do not withhold your mercy from me, O Lord.

For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

Be pleased, O Lord, to save me; O Lord come quickly to help me.

O my God, do not delay.”

This is another way of saying my life has been one long trouble.

And really that shouldn’t surprise us because we live in a world that surrounds us with trouble. But we are optimistic because we have Jesus.

Jesus told us that “in this world you will have trouble but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”

As Christians we know what ever we face, we overcome it through Christ. I think that is exactly the way David felt at the end of this Psalm. He knows whatever He is going through, God is going to help him today, just like He did in the past.

So, he ends this Psalm the same way he began; by patiently waiting for God, knowing that God will come through.

Philippians 4:12–13 “ I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

David was painfully aware that his sin may have been the cause of his affliction and he prayed for God’s mercy.

The Hebrew word for “tender mercies” describes the compassion of a father on a disobedient child.

It reminds me of the story of the Prodigal son. He took his fathers inheritance and squandered it, by living recklessly. When he finally came to his senses, he realized he was broke and lost, he went home full of guilt and shame. Instead of his father rejecting him, without hesitation, he welcomed him home.

That is a picture for us of God’s mercy and compassion. It trumps our disobedience. He is faithful even when we fail.

Notice, David closes this prayer by admitting he is totally helpless without God. In Vs. 17 he refers to himself as the poor and needy and it should be a great comfort to us that no matter what our position is in this world God cares about us. It’s not just the wealthy and beautiful people of the world that are on the mind of God.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by anxiety, take time each night to pray specifically for God’s mercy and protection. Make a list of the things you worry about; like your health, your finances, children or grandchildren and lift them up to the Lord. If you will do that I guarantee it will give you a sense of peace.

Conclusion

God cares about us so deeply that we should never hesitate to bring our problems to Him. It doesn’t matter how big or how small they are. We should never hesitate to confess our sin because He is the faithful and offers us forgiveness through His Son.

No matter what pit of despair we find ourselves in, He is the God who delivers.

Three important truths we learn from this Psalm.

1 We cry out to the Lord for help and wait patiently for Him.

2 We make a sacrificial commitment to God.

3 We pray for the Lord’s mercy and Protection

We do that by following the example of Christ and living in His will.