Trusting God's Timing: Deliverance and Praise in Psalm 40
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into Psalm 40, a psalm that has deeply ministered to me and I believe will minister to you as well. This psalm, written by David, was intended for corporate worship, making its application to our lives quite literal. We began by reading the psalm together, acknowledging its structure which mirrors a song with a prelude, verses, and a benediction. The prelude (verses 1-3) is a call to worship, emphasizing thanksgiving for God's past deeds. Verses 4-5 focus on Jehovah's inherent goodness, which is the foundation of all His actions. Verses 6-10 highlight a vow of obedience to God's will, even when His will isn't immediately clear. Finally, verses 11-17 serve as a benediction, a prayer for deliverance, and a proclamation of faith in God's faithfulness.
We explored the concept of waiting patiently for the Lord, understanding that waiting is not passive but an active trust in God's perfect timing. The psalmist's experience of being lifted from the pit of destruction and having his feet set on a solid rock illustrates God's deliverance and the security He provides. This deliverance leads to a new song of praise, which should be shared with others, leading them to trust in the Lord as well.
We also discussed the importance of where we place our trust. Trusting in anything other than God—whether it be our job, education, or financial security—can lead to disappointment. True happiness and blessedness come from making the Lord our trust. God's thoughts and deeds towards us are numerous and intentional, aimed at our good and His glory. Therefore, we are called to put our full trust in Him, allowing Him to work in our lives for our ultimate benefit and His highest praise.
### Key Takeaways
1. Waiting Patiently on the Lord: Waiting on God is not a passive act but an active trust in His perfect timing. It involves a posture of patience and faith, knowing that God's timing is always for our greatest good and His greatest glory. This waiting refines us and prepares us for His deliverance. [16:53]
2. Jehovah's Inherent Goodness: Understanding that God's actions stem from His inherent goodness allows us to trust Him fully. We don't evaluate His goodness based on our circumstances; rather, we trust that everything He does is good because He is good. This foundational belief shapes our perception of His actions in our lives. [07:18]
3. God's Deliverance from the Pit: The imagery of being lifted from a pit of destruction and set on a solid rock symbolizes God's power to rescue us from any situation. This deliverance is not just about removing us from danger but also about placing us in a secure position where we can thrive. [24:00]
4. A New Song of Praise: When God delivers us, it should result in a new song of praise that we share with others. This testimony of God's faithfulness can lead many to see, fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Our lives should continually reflect the praise of God's deliverance. [30:56]
5. True Trust in God: Placing our trust in anything other than God can lead to disappointment. True blessedness and happiness come from making the Lord our trust. His thoughts and deeds towards us are numerous and intentional, aimed at our good and His glory. We are called to trust Him fully, allowing Him to work in our lives. [42:34]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:22] - Introduction to Psalm 40
[02:45] - Reading Psalm 40 Together
[04:12] - The Structure of Psalm 40
[07:18] - Jehovah's Inherent Goodness
[08:52] - A Vow of Obedience
[10:20] - Trusting God's Will
[11:56] - The Benediction: Prayer for Deliverance
[13:15] - Waiting Patiently for the Lord
[16:53] - The Importance of Waiting
[18:32] - Cultural Impatience with Waiting
[21:47] - Productive Waiting
[22:35] - Trusting in God's Timing
[23:20] - God's Inclination Towards Us
[24:00] - Deliverance from the Pit
[26:21] - The Miry Bog
[29:53] - Setting Feet on Solid Rock
[30:56] - A New Song of Praise
[32:15] - Sharing Your Testimony
[34:46] - The Fear of the Lord
[36:14] - Putting Trust in God
[37:44] - Personal Story of Trust
[40:55] - What is Your Trust Fund?
[42:34] - True Trust in God
[43:15] - Blessed is the Man Who Trusts in the Lord
[45:21] - God's Thoughts Towards Us
[47:26] - Call to Trust in the Lord
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Psalm 40:1-17
### Observation Questions
1. What are the four main sections of Psalm 40 as described in the sermon? ([02:45])
2. According to the sermon, what does it mean to wait patiently for the Lord? ([16:53])
3. How does the psalmist describe God's deliverance in Psalm 40? ([24:00])
4. What is the significance of the "new song" mentioned in Psalm 40:3? ([30:56])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding Jehovah's inherent goodness help us trust Him more fully, even in difficult circumstances? ([07:18])
2. What does the imagery of being lifted from the pit of destruction and set on a solid rock symbolize in the context of our personal lives? ([24:00])
3. Why is it important to share our testimonies of God's deliverance with others, according to the sermon? ([32:15])
4. How does the concept of true trust in God challenge our reliance on other sources of security, such as jobs or financial stability? ([42:34])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to wait patiently for the Lord. How did that experience shape your faith and trust in God's timing? ([16:53])
2. In what ways can you remind yourself of Jehovah's inherent goodness when facing challenging situations? ([07:18])
3. Have you ever felt like you were in a "pit of destruction"? How did you experience God's deliverance, and how can you share that testimony with others? ([24:00])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure that your trust is placed fully in God rather than in other sources of security? ([42:34])
5. How can you cultivate a "new song of praise" in your daily life, and what impact might that have on those around you? ([30:56])
6. Think about a specific area in your life where you are struggling to trust God's will. What steps can you take to surrender that area to Him? ([10:20])
7. Identify one person in your life who might benefit from hearing your testimony of God's faithfulness. How can you share your story with them this week? ([32:15])
Devotional
Day 1: Active Trust in God's Timing
Waiting on God is not a passive act but an active trust in His perfect timing. It involves a posture of patience and faith, knowing that God's timing is always for our greatest good and His greatest glory. This waiting refines us and prepares us for His deliverance. The psalmist's experience of being lifted from the pit of destruction and having his feet set on a solid rock illustrates God's deliverance and the security He provides. This deliverance leads to a new song of praise, which should be shared with others, leading them to trust in the Lord as well. [16:53]
Psalm 27:14 (ESV): "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"
Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are waiting for God's intervention. How can you actively trust in His timing today, and what steps can you take to demonstrate that trust?
Day 2: Trusting in God's Inherent Goodness
Understanding that God's actions stem from His inherent goodness allows us to trust Him fully. We don't evaluate His goodness based on our circumstances; rather, we trust that everything He does is good because He is good. This foundational belief shapes our perception of His actions in our lives. When we recognize that God's goodness is the basis for all His deeds, we can rest assured that His plans for us are always for our benefit and His glory. [07:18]
Nahum 1:7 (ESV): "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you see God's goodness in that situation, and how can you remind yourself of His inherent goodness in future trials?
Day 3: Experiencing God's Deliverance
The imagery of being lifted from a pit of destruction and set on a solid rock symbolizes God's power to rescue us from any situation. This deliverance is not just about removing us from danger but also about placing us in a secure position where we can thrive. God's deliverance is comprehensive, providing both safety and stability. When we experience His deliverance, it should lead us to a deeper trust in Him and a greater willingness to share our testimony of His faithfulness with others. [24:00]
Psalm 18:16-19 (ESV): "He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me."
Reflection: Recall a time when you felt trapped or overwhelmed. How did God deliver you, and how can you share this testimony with someone who might need encouragement today?
Day 4: Singing a New Song of Praise
When God delivers us, it should result in a new song of praise that we share with others. This testimony of God's faithfulness can lead many to see, fear, and put their trust in the Lord. Our lives should continually reflect the praise of God's deliverance. Sharing our experiences of God's faithfulness not only strengthens our own faith but also encourages others to trust in Him. A new song of praise is a powerful witness to the transformative work of God in our lives. [30:56]
Psalm 96:1-3 (ESV): "Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!"
Reflection: Think of a recent instance where you experienced God's faithfulness. How can you turn this experience into a "new song" of praise, and who can you share it with this week?
Day 5: True Trust in God
Placing our trust in anything other than God can lead to disappointment. True blessedness and happiness come from making the Lord our trust. His thoughts and deeds towards us are numerous and intentional, aimed at our good and His glory. We are called to trust Him fully, allowing Him to work in our lives. When we make God our trust, we find a deep sense of peace and security that cannot be found in worldly things. This trust is a daily commitment to rely on His wisdom and guidance. [42:34]
Jeremiah 17:7-8 (ESV): "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you have been relying on something other than God. What steps can you take today to shift your trust back to Him, and how can you remind yourself daily to keep your trust in the Lord?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When we say Jehovah is good then we can look at the rest of our circumstances, we can look at how he interacts with us, how he reacts to us, how he serves, how he loves and know that it is always an expression of goodness." [08:52] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If the true desire of your heart is to be obedient in pursuit of the will of the Lord then take a step and watch him secure your step." [10:20] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I waited patiently for the Lord. He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." [04:12] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The Lord's inclination is usward. Think about that. When we wait patiently on the Lord, the Lord's inclination is to move. It is action drawn. It is to move toward us and to hear you." [23:20] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord." [04:12] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "There is a beauty and a wholeness and a maturing and a growing that takes place in the waiting and not just waiting but waiting patiently." [19:35] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The Lord's purpose in your waiting is not so that you can be incredibly productive in the waiting but so that he can be productive in you in the waiting." [21:47] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The only provision from this pit of destruction, the only help and the only deliverance from this pit of destruction comes by almighty God out of the miry bog." [29:31] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. That's what it says in verse 4. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust." [42:34] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The creator of the universe again the alpha and the omega has multiplied his wondrous deeds or his mighty works and his and his thoughts toward you have been multiplied." [45:49] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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