Have you ever wondered why patience is such a big deal to God? Undoubtedly, it’s because the longer you wait, the greater faith you show that He will take care of business.
The Book of Hebrews (11:6) tells us that without faith it is impossible to please Him, for we must believe that God (is God) and that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. If you were God, would you reward those that didn’t believe in your existence, much less those that acknowledge your existence in a nominal way, failing to recognize the full scope of your sovereignty? Of course not. So then, calling upon the Lord with patience that He will deliver produces the peace that not calling upon Him won’t.
When I think of patience, I think of the Old Testament character, Joseph: Thrown into a pit, left for dead, sold into slavery, elevated to an important position, only to be tossed into jail for years on a false rape charge, and finally, upon his release from prison, promoted to second in charge of one of the largest and most powerful nations on earth at that time! That’s the kind of deliverance David talks about in this, the 40th Psalm—a prison break initiated by you via patience—carried out by the Lord.
When I minister in jail I tell the inmates, “Sometimes you have to go to prison, to get out of the one you’re already in.” Most nod in agreement, and concur that since they’ve come into a personal relationship with the Lord, they were no longer in the quicksand known as the prison of a Godless life—rather, they are on the Rock—the kind a wise person builds his house on (Matthew 7:24-27).
One thing convicts (and especially ex-convicts) have in common, is praising God before others for His deliverance. The psalmist does this too—not just in Psalm 40, but in nearly every psalm written.
Whatever kind of prison we’re in, when we wait patiently for the Lord to act, believing that whatever the result, it’s in our best interest—we’re praising God by trusting in Him, and that brings the greatest peace of all.
b(Les)sings
Psalm 40
KING JAMES VERSION
[1] I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
[2] He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
[3] And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
[4] Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
[5] Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
[6] Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
[7] Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
[8] I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
[9] I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
[10] I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
[11] Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
[12] For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
[13] Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
[14] Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
[15] Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
[16] Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
[17] But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
[2] He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
[3] And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
[4] Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
[5] Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
[6] Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
[7] Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,
[8] I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
[9] I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest.
[10] I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
[11] Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O LORD: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.
[12] For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.
[13] Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me.
[14] Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.
[15] Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.
[16] Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.
[17] But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.
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