October 27th, 2013
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

A Perfect God

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Opening Prayer

Light of True Light, draw me to You. May I glow with Your salvation, which is the light for the world.

Read Psalm 40:1-17

[1] For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. [5] 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. [6] Sacrifice and offering you did not desire- but my ears you have opened- burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. [7] Then I said, “Here I am, I have come- it is written about me in the scroll. [8] I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” [9] I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, LORD, as you know. [10] 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. [11] Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. [12] 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. [13] Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me. [14] May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. [15] May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. [16] But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!” [17] But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION

Meditate

According to this psalm, how does God want us to respond when he enters our experience and does for us what no one else can do?

Think Further

David’s background could hardly be more different from that of many believers in New Testament times. He was a king, while many believers in New Testament times were ex-pagans who had just come to salvation in Jesus. But they all experienced both the blessings of God towards them and the hostility of those around them. David knew what it was to be recovered by God from sinful destruction. The new believers had seen Jesus deliver them from the emptiness of paganism and enable them to embrace belief in him. Do not we also have many wonders to declare of what God has done for us?

Many early believers (such as the Thessalonians) were oriented to all that God was planning to do for them in eternity, while David was thinking more of the blessings to his descendants. But he saw, dimly, that what God had planned for his people was greater than he understood. The house that God was to build for him (2 Sam. 7:27) would include the coming of Jesus, through whom David and we gain salvation. The words that David uses in vs. 6-8 are put in the mouth of Jesus by the writer to the Hebrews (Heb. 10:5-7). It is the obedience of our Savior that brings salvation. The sacrifices of Israel dealt only with external things, but he transforms the heart. 

The response to the message of God’s salvation for both David and the first Christians involved witness in a hostile world. Even as they cry out for relief, they want to witness. There is the concern that God should be honored and that no one should detract from his glory. If both David and the New Testament believers want to see God’s judgment on evil-doers, there is in the Gospel a desire that they also might repent and turn to God.

Apply

Are you good at waiting? How long do you wait before giving up on God? How does this psalm help you deal with any impatience?

Closing prayer

Lord, I seek You with a desire to rejoice and be filled with gladness (16). I exalt Your name and pray that others will know the joy of Your salvation.

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