I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them. You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand— you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness. Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me— too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage. Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!” But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.
Psalms 40:1-17 NLT
Waiting is hard. David waited patiently for the Lord and found a new song of joy to sing. David had been in a place of despair, ashamed of his sins and surrounded by people scheming against him. He didn’t make things worse by overreacting. He waited on the Lord. When the Good Shepherd delivered him, David sang a new song and boldly declared his testimony before others.
Verse 8 says that David delighted in doing God’s will. There is something amazing that happens when Christ’s commands move from being something you have to do to something you want to do. There is a deeper maturity that develops when you pursue God’s will more than your own will, when your desire is to do His desire. In many ways, that is the turning point of a real and growing faith. The way of Jesus brings joy.
How can you know when you are following the Lord’s will, not your own? In the challenges you are currently facing, how can you wait patiently and trust in the Lord?
