Psalm 40:1-4 I waited patiently for God to help me; then he listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path, and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him. Many blessings are given to those who trust the Lord and have no confidence in those who are proud or who trust in idols.
There’s a horrible story in Jeremiah 38:1-13. The Babylonians are camped outside Jerusalem. God commands Jeremiah to warn the citizens of Jerusalem that they should surrender to the Babylonians to save their lives, causing court officials to report him as a traitor. Never mind that one of the largest most powerful armies in the entire region is just at the city gates. These wicked men throw Jeremiah into a well with several feet of mud in the bottom. Just as Jeremiah is sinking into the mire, Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian court official, saves him. Jeremiah remains in prison, but he has been saved from suffocating in the mire.
Many of us might identify with Jeremiah. Sometimes we find ourselves caught in situations that only seem to get worse the longer we try to escape. The harder we struggle, the deeper we descend into the sticky mire. We feel our situations are hopeless and have nothing we can do. We are waiting for complete annihilation, just as Jeremiah was. Stuck in the depths of that well, Jeremiah had no recourse, and we feel just as helpless. But God is still there and He can still deliver us completely.
At such times, we must remind ourselves that God has already delivered us many times on other occasions.
5 O Lord my God, many and many a time you have done great miracles for us, and we are ever in your thoughts. Who else can do such glorious things? No one else can be compared with you. There isn’t time to tell of all your wonderful deeds.
6-8 It isn’t sacrifices and offerings that you really want from your people. Burnt animals bring no special joy to your heart. But you have accepted the offer of my lifelong service. Then I said, “See, I have come, just as all the prophets foretold. And I delight to do your will, my God, for your law is written upon my heart!”
9-12 I have told everyone the good news that you forgive people’s sins. I have not been timid about it, as you well know, O Lord. I have not kept this good news hidden in my heart but have proclaimed your loving-kindness and truth to all the congregation.
O Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me! My only hope is in your love and faithfulness. Otherwise I perish, for problems far too big for me to solve are piled higher than my head. Meanwhile my sins, too many to count, have all caught up with me, and I am ashamed to look up. My heart quails within me.
13-15 Please, Lord, rescue me! Quick! Come and help me! Confuse them! Turn them around and send them sprawling—all these who are trying to destroy me. Disgrace these scoffers with their utter failure!
16 But may the joy of the Lord be given to everyone who loves him and his salvation. May they constantly exclaim, “How great God is!”
17 I am poor and weak, yet the Lord is thinking about me right now! O my God, you are my helper. You are my Savior; come quickly and save me. Please don’t delay!
What can we do when we’re stuck with no way out? Appeal to the Lord who has saved us before, confessing our sins and reassuring ourselves of His power to save. Psalm 40 reminds us that God has not abandoned us and that He will deliver us at the right time. Let us continue to praise Him!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You, for You are our Deliverer and our only Source of hope. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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