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

 

David must have written this psalm with people like you and me in mind—people going through a dark time like he himself often did. He understands dark, and it’s people who understand the dark who can best help us through it. We should listen to David when we read the many psalms he wrote.

David’s hand was in God’s hand as he wrote this. Through David, God reaches out to us, drawing us to him.

With this psalm David tells the story of how God was there for him as he went through a long dark period. I believe the key that helped him keep going was his ability to wait patiently—not looking inward at his anxiety—but looking upward, trusting in Someone much greater than himself. He was able to continue, fully aware that his heavenly Father was with him, even as he suffered.

God was there for David. And today, he’s there for us.

David tells us how God eventually lifted him out of the mucky mess that had earlier seemed impossible to escape from. In a remarkable way, God picked him up and set him on a solid rock—a safe place, a secure place. The life he thought he had forever lost returned. He breathed in the clean fresh air, feeling fully alive once more.

But here is what I find most wonderful! God gave him a song to sing. A brand new song he had never sung before. He sang praises to his Lord. He sang about what God had done for him. You can imagine his gratitude for having been brought to this new place after suffering for so long. His song reached the ears of others who badly needed to hear. And they believed.

If any of you have struggled with illness or other difficulties for a long time, you may remember such a change coming over you too when you recovered. You may even come to such a place before recovering, when you realize that you’re not alone, as you had thought you were. When you realize that God is with you and that he’s in charge. When you realize how much he cares for you.

Earlier I said that the key for David’s patience was his trust in God, his heavenly Father. I think trusting God formed the substance of that patience. Faith will bring us the rest and peace we need. It brings calmness. Especially during trials.

How can you find faith? Open your heart to God and tell him you’d like to get to know him.

marja