I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

Psalm 40: 1-3

 

We’ve all had bad stuff, sad stuff, ugly stuff in our lives. I certainly have, especially over the last few years.

But look above at the psalm from King David. See how he dealt with such things.

These verses have always spoken to me. They so clearly describe depressions I’ve had. The slimy pit, the mud and  mire – so difficult to extract myself from. I wasn’t always as patient as David was, but eventually God did help me get unstuck. He never left me in the mud and mire. He always returned me to a more secure place.

Has this been your experience? Have you seen this hope that’s always yours?

I love the “new song” David speaks of. What a wonderful description of what comes after depression has lifted! Our life becomes new – freed from the past with its ugliness. A brand-new future opens up.

I’ve found it so. Have you?

“A new song” sounds to me like something clear and clean – even sparkling – if the sound of a song were able to sparkle. Maybe more like a bell? Chiming?

Such a song holds great value. We can use it to serve God in a special way: Sing praises to our Lord who makes our life possible. Thank him for gifts that give life meaning. Use his gifts to bless ourselves and others.

We sing at the top of our lungs with joy, letting others hear what God has done for us. They will be encouraged, knowing such a life can be theirs as well. They will be encouraged to know that such hope is possible. They too might learn to trust our Lord who makes all things possible.

I’m singing a new song today. I hope you are too. What shall we do with it?

Maybe we should talk with God. He probably has some ideas.

marja