Read Psalms 40-45
Highlights:
Many feel Ps. 42 & Ps. 43 are one psalm and that they are Messianic! Those who choose to live godly lives will not go unrewarded. They seek opportunities to share with others about what God is doing in and through them.
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. 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 (Ps. 40:2-3).
These words should reflect the praise that is on every believer's heart. They could be the song that comes from the mouth of all who know Christ. They speak as the heart-felt testimony of one who was lost in sin, but has been saved by the marvellous grace of Christ.
We as believers know what it means to have once lived in the pit about which the verse speaks. We know the meaning of being trapped in the muck and mud of a sinful life. We were sin stained and trapped as if we were in quicksand. We were incapable of getting ourselves out. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage (2 Pet. 2:19).
It is only through the power of Christ that we are rescued from this pit we are trapped in. When we call on Him and accept His free gift of salvation, Christ gives us the ultimate pardon. Our sins are forgiven and washed away. And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood (Rev. 1:5).
If we examine the words of our verse, we see that not only has Christ rescued us and cleaned us up; He has placed us so as to be headed in the right direction of life. He did not just save us to let us wander aimlessly through life. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ (2 Thes. 3:5).
The last part of the verse is an awesome promise. The psalmist says that many will see what Christ has done. However, they will not just see the work, but they will begin to place their trust in Christ because of the things He has done in the hearts of believers. It has often been said that the best witness that can be given is simply a life lived to honor God. Today's reading confirms those words. It is very important to tell what has been done for us. We must each strive to sing that new song that has been given to all who trust Christ.
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many (Rom. 5:15).
Thought for Today:
The Lord rewards those who show mercy to the poor.
Christ Revealed:
As One who will do the will of God (Ps. 40:6-8). Jesus said that His purpose on earth was to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work (John 4:34; Heb. 10:7-9).
Word Studies:
40:6 ears . . . opened, You have given me a heart to hear and obey; 41:3 make all his bed in his sickness, sustain him in all his sickness; 42:1 panteth after, longs for; 42:11 health, salvation; 44:19 sore broken, severely crushed; 45:1 inditing, overflowing with; 45:6 right sceptre, righteous rule.
Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord; He is your refuge (Ps. 15:1-4).
Optional Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1
Memory Verse for the Week: John 6:44
