Focus

Let yourself become open to God and the knowledge that comes from the Word. Ask God for peace at this time.

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Read

Psalm 40:1-11 (NRSV)

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
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.

Happy are those who make
the LORD their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.

Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O LORD.
I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.

Do not, O LORD, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.

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Reflect

Sometimes as I read through one of the psalms, it occurs to me that these are song lyrics. The people of ancient Israel sang these words. Now, most of the psalms have a whole lot more words than modern hymns—and certainly a whole lot more words than modern “praise and worship” songs. That can only mean one thing: the people of ancient Israel probably did a whole lot more singing in their worship than we do!

Psalm 40 begins with the phrase “I waited patiently for the Lord.” Just how patiently do we approach worship? How willing are we to give our time and our full attention to the worship of God? Is our attitude one of desire to worship, or a desire to get finished so that we can go on to something else?

If we were to find ourselves singing a song that took over five minutes to sing, how would we feel about doing so? I’m willing to guess that it took a while to sing the words to Psalm 40.

The words of Psalm 40 are full of delight in the Lord. They are the words of one who wants to give quality time to praising God for all the blessings of life.

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Pray

God, give us a heart that is willing to take the time to worship you fully. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Go with God.