Slices
Prepare
‘I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart’ (v 8). Prepare a right posture within yourself as you come to read God’s Word today.
Bible passage
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
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.
Explore
Earlier this year, I had to go to a funeral. The person who had died was only middle-aged, and had their life snatched from them in a second. However, at the funeral we sang a song based on this psalm. This person’s life had lived and breathed faith in the Lord. Though they had died, they were truly blessed (v 4), and their life had an impact which was seen by many (vs 3,10).
We may experience evil from others or the effects of our own sin (vs 12–15); we may feel poor and needy (v 17) or that our heart fails us (v 12). But – and this is no surprise now after our readings in Isaiah – the Lord thinks of us (v 17). He hears our cries and helps us (vs 1,2) in ways that are incomparable (v 5). He does not stop having mercy on us or loving us (v 11).
This feels incredible – that God, the creator of the universe, thinks about us! Do you find this easy or hard to believe? Who can you think of who needs to be encouraged with this truth?
Respond
Pray that today you will not stop saying, ‘Great is the Lord!’, that others might see your praise and worship God too (vs 10,16). Listen to ‘When I was lost’ (2005, Kate Simmonds) and praise God today for all he has done.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Kings 10–12; 2 Corinthians 5
Pray for Scripture Union
The Global Team coordinates the work of Scripture Union International. Pray for wisdom and inspiration in all their discussions as they meet in Greece from Tuesday to Thursday this week.
