TODAY IN THE WORD
For the last few days, we have read the Psalms to expand our understanding of God’s love. Psalm 27 teaches that in love, God calms our fears; Psalm 34 reminds us that in love, God is close to the brokenhearted. Today’s passage, Psalm 40, also fortifies our hearts to face challenging times. We learn that in love, God hears our cries and lifts us out of the pit.

Psalm 40 opens with the closing theme of Psalm 27: waiting patiently for the Lord. After a period of anticipation, the psalmist declares that God did hear and answer his cries. The poet employs two images to describe how the Lord responded. First, the Lord rescued him from a swampy pit and restored him to solid ground (v. 2). Second, the Lord replaced his cries with a song of praise (v. 3). The result of redemption is not exclusively individualistic. The psalmist’s salvation is a witness that leads others to trust in the Lord, and those who trust the Lord are blessed.

Verses 6 through 8 confirm that hunger to do God’s will trumps mere sacrifice and ritual. Old Testament scholar Konrad Schaefer clarifies that “ritual is worthwhile only insofar as it expresses the inner disposition,” that is, desire to do God’s will and keep His law within one’s heart (v. 8).

Psalm 40 then returns to the theme of testimony. God in His love hears our cries and redeems us from the pit. This must be proclaimed, celebrated, and shared with others (vv. 9-10). Just as the psalmist refuses to keep his mouth closed about God’s salvation, he also asks God not to withhold His mercy. The author knows he is desperately dependent on God; without God’s deliverance, he will be overcome. His troubles are not all external, however. He confesses to God that he is drowning in his own sin, which blinds him. “Come quickly,” Lord; “do not delay,” he cries, for he trusts in God’s love and mercy for help and deliverance (vv. 13, 17).

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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
“Sacrifice and offering you did not desire” (v. 6) is a theme woven throughout the Scriptures. God rejected Saul as king because he sacrificed but disobeyed (1 Sam. 15:22); David recognized God’s preference for a penitent heart over ritual (Ps. 51:16-17); and God accused the people for similar offenses (Hosea 6:6). Contemplate this message in Isaiah 1:11-20. Invite the Holy Spirit to expose areas in your life where you are simply going through the motions, or where your worship does not align with your lifestyle.

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