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I think it would be safe to say that most of us have heard a sermon or two on gratitude and thanksgiving, especially in the month of November. :) If we have been a believer for many years, the topic could even become too common to be effectual in our spiritual growth. We may journal lists of things we are thankful for. We may reread verses on the commands to be thankful. Most of us will sit around a turkey-centered table, sharing specific things with those gathered there.
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And yet, many of us are living in hard seasons of waiting. We may speak words of praise with our lips but withhold parts of ourselves from God --- unspoken bitterness lurking beneath the words that hide our deepest motives, questions, and thoughts.
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I would like to encourage us all with Psalm 40 today.
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David waited patiently for the Lord to help him, and in God's time, help arrived.
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Here are 3 things that came in the form of help:
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- Verse 2 -- He lifted David's soul out of the pit of despair. Our physical bodies may go through it, but God will preserve our souls and bring peace within.
- Verse 2b -- He set David's feet on solid ground and steadied him as he walked along. God strengthened David's inner life, giving him the ability to keep moving forward by faith. Life doesn't stop in the waiting, and God will equip us to live abundantly still.
- Verse 3 -- God gave David a new song to sing; a hymn of praise to our God. What does it mean to "sing a new song"? I liked this thought from gotquestions.org: "The “new song” we sing does not have to be a newly composed worship number. The new song is merely a fresh response of praise and thanks—one that matches the freshness of God’s goodness and mercy, which are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:23). A new song springs forth unrehearsed from the heart of a worshiper who has been struck anew with wonder at the greatness of God and the salvation He has provided. When we see the mighty hand of God working in a way we’ve never observed before, we can’t help but burst forth with a song we’ve never sung before."
Rehearsing the truths of who God is renews our minds, clearing our spiritual vision on our circumstances. This leads to a fresh outpouring of praise; a new song.
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Lastly, here are 3 things I noticed about David's actions in the waiting:
- David prayed about his situation. God heard his cry and David noticed the difference in his countenance even though life's situations were still confusing (Verse 1,11,13). He also asked God to deal with his enemies, to extend mercy and protection, and to "let the Lord keep me in his thoughts" (Verse 17). David prayed in humility, understanding his great lack.
- David promoted God's goodness to others. He served others with his testimony of confidence in God. (verses 9,10) He spoke in the great assembly, among God's people, about His unfailing love and faithfulness (Verse 10).
- David praised God for all He had done within his soul. He could never recount all of God's wonderful deeds (verse 5), but he tried. David expresses joy in serving God. And he invited others to join him in shouting about the greatness of God (Verse16).
All of our problems, heartaches, longings, and fears don't just disappear when we sit down to Thanksgiving dinner this week. God may be trying to build greater confidence and faith in us through a season of waiting. But, as David, we can trust that our soul's good is always in God's sovereign plans. Maybe we just need to be reminded of that today.
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I offer a prayer for each of us as David did:
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"May all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!" As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay" (Psalm 40:16-17).
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In the waiting, keep searching. Keep believing. Keep praising. Keep promoting the faithfulness of God. And keep talking to the only One who has the power to lift us out of our pit of despair, set our feet on solid ground, steady our walk, and put a fresh song of remembrance in our souls.
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Happy Thanksgiving, friends! May you all be singing fresh songs of praise as we gather to feast and rest this week.
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I have not read this book by Dustin George yet, but I listened to the interview with his wife, Rebecca, on her podcast, Radical Radiance, and I'm definitely ordering a copy. I think this is fitting for the newsletter topic today and the idea of walking well through seasons of trial. There are several episodes and even a reading of the first chapter on her website if you want to check that out. I'll let you know what I think when I am done reading it! :)
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Gift Ideas for Spiritual Encouragement!
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For more on talking with God about the Scripture you are reading, I have a full-color coffee table style book to illustrate this practice. You can find it here.
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You can find Grace: Reflections of a Heart Set on God here!
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Thanks for reading. See you soon!
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