Sermon snippet – From the Abyss to Absolute Bliss
INTRODUCTION – In Psalm 40:1-4, David employs striking word pictures to convey a powerful message of God’s omnipotent salvation. Let us consider a key point from each of these verses.
- HOWEVER PATIENT WE ARE, GOD IS FAR MORE PATIENT WITH US
Verse 1 tells us that often we must wait to see and experience the unfolding of God’s great goodnesses to us. We should not, though, think that during these times of waiting that God is absent or inactive. No, He has always, “inclined” unto us. We read the following in Psalm 116:1-2: “I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live.” God does not need to bend near to us in order to hear our prayers, of course. Rather, this picture is designed to reassure us that He is always listening to His people. No one else listens that constantly and intently. This patient attentiveness is a core characteristic of our God, Who “is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Peter 3:9). Our limited patience cannot be compared to the longsuffering of our Lord. Think of all that He has to put up with from us! Truly, He is the One Who is really patient.
- LET US REMEMBER THAT GOD HAS DELIVERED US
Verse 2 is a vivid picture of life without the Lord and His salvation. I have read that people who have endured major earthquakes say that the experience was extraordinarily unsettling, for the one thing that had always been stable – the ground beneath them – suddenly became unstable and even an enemy. Even worse, it seems to me, is a sinkhole, which may gobble up houses, cars, property, and even people without any warning. Spiritually, our Savior God has delivered us from a sinkhole of sin; we could not claw our way out of that “horrible pit, out of the miry clay.” All of us have friends and family members who have chosen to live without Jesus; when we look at their lives, we can see where we could be today (and where we might have been at sometime). Instead, He has placed us “upon a rock,” and “that Rock is Christ” (I Corinthians 10:4). The slipperiest of sand has been replaced by the solidest of stone. The One Who has saved us for all eternity will continue to establish our “goings” now.
- LET US REJOICE THAT GOD GIVES US A NEW SONG
Verse 3 reminds us of the power of music. The halls of heaven ring with a “new song” (Revelation 5:9; 14:3); certainly, the gift of music is most encouraging to us here. Numerous folks have spoken to me of the importance of music in their lives; their words are the primary reason that I write about music and focus on a song in our Monday devotionals. A “new song” does not have to be one that we have never heard before; it can be an older hymn that suddenly sweeps into our hearts and minds to help us when we need encouragement. I remember an aunt who, upon hearing of the unexpected death of a daughter, spent that terrible night with the words of “Wonderful Peace” sustaining her. It was not a particular favorite of hers, but in that time of need it became a “new song” that helped her immensely. Just as Jesus has lifted us up from the pit, He continues to uplift us with a “new song.”
- A BLESSED PERSON IS A BLESSING
Verse 4 tells us that God’s people are “blessed” and thus should become a blessing of humility and truth in a world characterized by pride and falsehood. Newer translations suggest that “lies” should be understood as false gods or idols. Certainly that evil is part of the larger issue of falsity, but the Hebrew is more comprehensive. God’s people become a blessing when we are humble and truthful, for we then reflect the Blesser, Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION – Isaiah 31:1-6, which we studied in the last two weeks, began with a pronouncement of “woe.” However, through faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son, we move from woe to blessedness, from the pit to solid rock. Our Savior has moved us from the abyss to absolute bliss. May we praise Him with a “new song” and a new way of humility and truth.