Psalm 40

Remembering God’s past faithfulness (v1-2)

Patient waiting

desolate pit/watery pit - watery depths, something of great fear to the Hebrews…metaphor of out of control disaster

muddy clay - Joseph & Jeremiah and the pit (sank into the mud, dead bodies…)

analogy of confusion, chaos, fear, unknown, and no ability to save yourself

from muddy clay to setting feet on a rock

God’s Past faithfulness brings a new perspective (v3a)

my mouth uttered a cry for help, it now sings a song of praise

new song - new perspective

God’s past faithfulness brings others to trust God (v3b)

First part of this song, first chord of praise - many will see, fear and trust God

One of the most significant results of my salvation, was that others would trust in God

God’s past faithfulness assures us of our blessedness (v4-8)

“Blessed is he” formula [hyperlink]

Psalm 1v1&2 - similar wording and ideas

Psalm 1v3 - Tree of Life - fellowship with God in the garden

How to find the fellowship with God we had in Eden, while we are OUT of Eden? - this is the Blessedness - to find fellowship and intimacy with God

Jesus’ first sermon - Matt 5v3 - “Blessed is He”

Blessing not necessarily outside of grief and misery

Poor in Spirit - Kingdom

Mourn - comfort

What the blessedness looks like (v5)

Despite the difficulty of living outside of Eden, in a world where relationships are strained and difficult and life is hard, work is cursed...

God has multiple, specific plans for us that are wonderful

Wondrous works in the past (you look back and I was working)

You look ahead and I have wondrous plans (“what should I do with my life” “what is my calling”? VS God says “I have so many things I want to do through your life”)

They cannot be counted or enumerated

“None can compare with you” - one reason that others who would look to sway us away from God’s good purposes really shouldn’t

God delights in our delightful obedience (v6-10)

His ultimate goal, in all his plans, is for our delight

He does not delight (it is not what he really wants) in us simply performing sacrifices because we have been told to or serving him because we have been told to

What does he do instead

He opens our ears to really hear Him in v6a

Then we realize that he is not asking for burnt offerings and sin offerings, for rote service and offerings

When David understands what God really desires, he presents himself (not a bull or sheep for sacrifice)

I am the sacrifice

How? By delightful obedience

Everything you have done for me by your many works, and all the plans you have for me in the future are to fulfil this one overall goal - that you would delight in doing God’s will

This EXACT text is used of Jesus

Hebrews 10v5-7

THIS is the goal of the many plans, and the many deeds

Maybe Romans quote is too much?

All things work together for good (Romans 8v28 -29) to be conformed to the image of Christ

Consider the progression of Romans 8

v26 - In grief and suffering, the Spirit intercedes with groans too deep for words, v27 - intercedes according to the will and plans of God and then what is the will of God in this grief? v28 - that ALL things, this suffering included would work together for the good of the believer v29 - so that they are conformed to Christ, the one who showed how much he delights in obedience that he sacrificed his very body

Just like Jesus, when we trust God in prayer, when we are in distress, and he saves us, God will use that to bring others to faith

What does this obedience look like? Telling others about what God has done (v9-10)

Telling others about what God has done

Is this not what Jesus’ life and mission was?

In the watery depths and muddy pit of death (in His case He went willingly and gave up His own life)

Did he not put his faith in God to save Him from death?

Did he not then proclaim what God has done and through this message of Gospel hope, God brings many to faith?

This is the central narrative of the scripture, the suffering of Jesus, the power of God who raised him from suffering and death, the testimony of God’s work that brings others to faith

Story of David, Story of Job, Story of the Israelites…and YOUR story

Blessed are you when, in the midst of your trials, you trust in God for deliverance, when you do that he will do 2 things:

Grow your delight in obedience

Cause others to put their trust in God

If you want to love your brothers and sisters in the church, one of the most impactful things you can do is pray, and then when God answers your prayer, tell people about it

More powerful than you realize - this is how God will build the faith of his church and bring others to faith

More difficult than it seems - bc of this, the enemy will try to stop you from doing this at all costs (either at the prayer stage [depending on other things], or interpreting God’s answer, or proclaiming what God has done.

A new prayer (v11-17)

SAVE ME from trouble and sin (11-14)

His muddy pit is trouble AND sin - He can’t see God’s guidance because he is stuck in his sin and can’t see delight in God’s instruction due to the delights of sin - he can’t get himself out

This prayer is real lament - not a frothy, pie in the sky, super spiritual prayer that is numb to his pain and brokenness - this remains!

He is swimming in so much sin that he has no courage whatsoever

When you save me, strengthen the faith of your people! ~ this is a new aspect to his prayer

My deliverance is not only for me!

When you strengthen your people, may they rejoice in YOU, not ME

He is great, I am oppressed and needy and need him