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When I have been camping in the wilderness, and need to make a small trip late at night, a problem sometimes presents itself. Somehow, without the benefit of electric lighting, I must unzip the tent, and then make my way across strange ground. In these instances, colliding with a tree, or tripping over a fallen log are the dangers most often on my mind.

But as I read Psalm 40, I get a window into the types of obstacles which King David might have encountered on his blind travels: the desolate pit, and the miry bog. These are vivid images which perfectly compare walking with living.

We've discussed some of David's missteps before, and here we see him full of thanks for God's mercy, and newly equipped with a song of praise. He recognizes that God is the one who rescues him, and he is driven to tell the world.

In my opinion, these are exactly the right responses. First, we praise, and second, we tell.

In order for us to do either of those two things, however, we must first reflect. How has God guarded your steps? Perhaps you can look back and see His straightening of your path at a time when you were lost, and walking the wrong way? Maybe you didn't cry out for help until you'd already stumbled, and in His mercy he reached down and helped you back to your feet?

These are just two examples, but each of us have our own stories. I encourage you to call them to mind, and give God your praise for his faithful leading.

And, like David, do not stop there. Tell of his wonderful deeds. When we tell others, we lead them away from their false gods, their misplaced trust, and we direct them into the arms of Jesus.

Here I am, Lord. I delight to do your will! Help me to not hide your saving help within my heart, but rather to speak of your faithfulness and your salvation before the whole world.

Amen.

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Thanksgiving for Deliverance and Prayer for Help
To the leader. Of David. A Psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 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.
4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts towards us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt-offering and sin-offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, ‘Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.’
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
See, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart,
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
et your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe for ever.
12 For evils have encompassed me
without number;
My iniquities have overtaken me,
until I cannot see;
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails me.

New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicised Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

#scripturesongs #psalm40:1-12