A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, September 29
Psalm 40:1-13
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Blessed is the one
who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
Many, LORD my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, LORD,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased to save me, LORD;
come quickly, LORD, to help me.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
God is so good! He has sent me so much help and support. I have been learning and trying to incorporate more listening and waiting in my relationship with God. Sometimes the blessings are “small” like a book or a song. Sometimes the response seems nothing short of miraculous. But the closer I look and listen, the more of God’s love and guidance I experience. God is with us. We need only stop and meet Him.
Holy Lord, I am thankful beyond words. You know my heart. May the blessings I receive bless others through me. I will do my best. Amen
Becky, transforming
Psalm 40:1-13. Isaiah 41:10
David gives us much to think about and do in these verses. First, is to have patience. This is often so difficult when we have hit a low point and need him. Second, is trust. We must trust in God’s hearing us and his love for us and remember that he is always near. When we are patient and trust in God’s love, we should then proclaim to others his goodness and mercy. Others need to hear about God and all he can do. Today’s Upper Room author has done just that.
Prayer: Gracious God, I do trust and am working in patience, but I need to do a better job singing your praises for other…
Psalm 40:1-13 / Isaiah 41:10
God has given me so much and asked so little of me. In the past, He has brought me through my own personal pits, big and small. When I fall God hears my call, He rescues me time and again. I should be better at praising God to others just like David did. Telling my story and praising Him when I have experienced God‘s help, comfort, and provision can encourage someone else.
Dear God, thank You for hearing me when I call out to You. Please help me to remember Your past help, help me to embrace Your presence today and help me to trust You completely with the future. Amen.
Psalm 40:1-13/Isaiah 41:10
I am struck at how King David anticipates the New Covenant in this psalm. At a time when those following the Mosaic law rigidly adhered to the various required sacrifices, David boldly proclaims, “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—but my ears you have opened—burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.” What was needed was to trust God and do God’s will, then God’s favor and protection would follow. We all have experienced our slimy pits, but trust and obedience give us the opportunity to be heard, lifted out, given a firm place to stand and a new song in our mouth. This is a story worth sharing.
Prayer - Merciful God, I endlessly thank…