A New Perspective

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:

Today, we will continue meditating on Psalm 40—this time focusing on verses 4-5.

1        I waited patiently for the LORD;

    he turned to me and heard my cry.

2        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.

3        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.

4        Blessed is the one

    who trusts in the LORD,

who does not look to the proud,

    to those who turn aside to false gods.

5        Many, LORD my God,

    are the wonders you have done,

    the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

    they would be too many to declare.

6        Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

    but my ears you have opened—

    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

7        Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

    it is written about me in the scroll.

8        I desire to do your will, my God;

    your law is within my heart.”

9        I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

    I do not seal my lips, LORD,

    as you know.

10      I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

    from the great assembly.

11      Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;

    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

12      For troubles without number surround me;

    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.

They are more than the hairs of my head,

    and my heart fails within me.

13      Be pleased to save me, LORD;

    come quickly, LORD, to help me.

14      May all who want to take my life

    be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

    be turned back in disgrace.

15      May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

    be appalled at their own shame.

16      But may all who seek you

    rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

    “The LORD is great!”

17      But as for me, I am poor and needy;

    may the LORD think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

    you are my God, do not delay. (Psalm 40, NIV)

REFLECTIONS:

Verse 4 describes the person “who trusts in the LORD” as “blessed”—happy, favored, richly endowed, contented, at peace.

This brings to mind a question: What are the blessings that come to us when we make the Lord our trust?

First and foremost, we are given a new perspective—we begin seeing life through his eyes. Look at verse 4: “Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.” When we walk by faith, we have God’s discernment. We see the world more clearly. We recognize the futility of trusting in ourselves or other supposed sources of strength. Instead, we look to the LORD—the living God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the covenant keeping God—for strength and guidance and wisdom and direction. Rather than following the “wisdom” of the world, we seek after the things of God's heart.

Israel was constantly being tempted to look to Baal and other false gods for rain and provision (Judges 2:11-13; 10:10; 1 Kings 18:18; etc.). In seeking protection, the nation was constantly counseled to make alliances with more powerful nations, such as Egypt (Jeremiah 2:14-19). It's the same in our world today. We are constantly tempted to seek after the world's definition of “success”—we chase riches, prosperity, and financial security in an effort to experience happiness and peace. We are told to look out for “Number 1”—to live for ourselves, even if it causes grief or hardship or sadness to others. We are told that “bigger is better” and that “might is right.” Satan, the world, and our natural inclinations constantly conspire to lead us astray.

But, when we put our trust and confidence in the Lord, we are given “eyes to see and ears to hear” the way that he is calling us to live. And his way is the very best way. As we've been discussing in our sermon series on 1 Corinthians, God's wisdom far exceeds the wisdom of the world (1Corinthians 1:18-2:16). As the Lord said through Isaiah the prophet:

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

    neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

    so are my ways higher than your ways

    and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Yet, when we look to him in faith, the Lord promises:

“You will go out in joy

    and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills

    will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field

    will clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:1-13)

When we trust in the Lord and seek his perspective, we experience the blessings of joy, peace, and abundance of life (Matthew 6:25-33; 7:24-27; Romans 12:1-2; Ephesians 4:22-24; Philippians 2:1-5; 4:8-9; Colossians 3:1-4; etc.)

But that’s not all.

We also start appreciating God’s works. “Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us” (verse 5). We marvel at God's creative handiwork in the natural world. We are filled with thanksgiving for the ways he has not only provided for our needs, but lavished us with blessings upon blessing. We take note of the good things he's poured into our lives. We notice not only the big blessings—health, security, family, freedom, etc.—but the countless “little things” as well—air-conditioning, a baby's laughter, Cherry Coke, the scent of baking bread, etc. On top of all these things, we come to see and understand that the living God is always at work in us and for us. We begin to see signs and evidence of God's “hidden” work in our lives. We come to know—deep in our heart of hearts—that Romans 8:28 is true: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” We begin to notice the way he orchestrates things for our good, for the good of his people, for the glory of his name (Genesis 45:4-12; 50:15-22; Esther 4:10-17; Jeremiah 29:10-14). When we trust in the Lord and rest in the mystery of God's sovereignty, our heart is filled with peace and joy and contentment in all circumstances.

But that’s not all.

Not only do we start seeing and admiring God’s works, but also we start enjoying his word and contemplating his thoughts. Verse 5 continues, “None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.” When we trust the Lord, his word becomes precious to us, because “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). We don't simply read God's word, we don't simply study it from knowledge, but we begin to savor Scripture because it reveals God's heart to our heart:

“The law of the Lord is perfect,

    refreshing the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

    making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right,

    giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the Lord are radiant,

    giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is pure,

    enduring forever.

The decrees of the Lord are firm,

    and all of them are righteous.” (Psalm 19:7-9)

The same Scripture that is a “lamp for my feet and a light on my path” becomes “more precious than gold” and “sweeter than honey from the honeycomb” (Psalm 119:105; 19:10). And this delight is not merely an emotional boost. No, we come to realize the sweet reality of what Jesus’ declaration: “The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and life” (John 16:13). When we trust in the Lord and delight ourselves in his word, we experience the peace and strength of life in fellowship with the living God.

POINT TO PONDER:

Don’t trust yourself or your circumstances—trust the Lord! When you roll all your burdens onto him, you gain a new perspective. You see life through his eyes, you appreciate his works, and you enjoy his word. Today, make the Lord your trust and confidence.

WHO AM I?

I am Tres Sansom, and I'm wondering if it might turn out to be cold enough in the upcoming days to have a fire in the fireplace. My wife, the pyromaniac, is chomping at the bit to strike a match and set something ablaze.