Trust in the Lord

August 9, 2009

Lesson: Psalm 40:1-11

Key Verse: Psalm 40:3

Introduction

The Psalmist has found a new song to sing, “even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord” (40:3). Fear is the motivation that brings us to our knees before the Creator who has the authority over death and life. Trust binds us to our Savior who is able to forgive us our sins and grant us eternal life in His presence. Fear sets our eyes upon the Lord who alone can deliver us from our sorrows. Trust binds us to the only One who can hold us in his hands and never let us go. To trust in God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is to attach ourselves to the sovereign Lord as the only One who can love us, save us, and comfort us each and every day. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

A New Song –Psalm 40:1-3

King David confesses that he “waited patiently for the Lord,” and, according to God’s good pleasure, the Lord inclined his ear to him and heard his cry. The Christian, in his sanctified life, has been given, by the Spirit, the quality of patience. The Christian has the strength of endurance, not in of himself, but by the Holy Spirit. This grace of patience is seen in the Christian’s confidence and hope that his or her Father in heaven will incline his ear to his children’s cry for help.

David illustrates how God had heard his cry: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” In these few words David has illustrated ‘justification’ and ‘sanctification.’ The Christian is unable to justify himself before the Lord, against whom he has sinned, to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. He is also unable to deliver himself from the daily pits of darkness, despair, trails and temptations, to die to sin and to live in the righteousness. Our Savior lifts us up from the clay that keeps our feet from the path of righteousness, and sets us firmly upon the glorious rock of salvation.

David experienced the saving grace of God in his daily life. He knows the redeeming arm of his Lord in the everyday ordeals and troubles. Singing tells us what is within our hearts. A new song came from the mouth of David. The Christian sings a new song with David, which brings praise to God. The new song tells of redeeming grace, of enduring love, and of daily deliverance from ungodliness. These wonders will bring fear to the hearts of others, that they too may trust, bind themselves to the Lord.

Discussion: What new song does the Lord give to His children?

Wonderful Works –Psalm 40:4-5

Just how many blessings can a Christian receive? There are many blessings for the Christian who makes or establishes or sets aside in his heart the Lord has his or her trust. Our chief end is to glorify our Lord and enjoy him now and forever. To trust the Lord is to bind ourselves to him, rather than the proud of this world who seek our allegiance to their lies.

When we look at Christ and his cross, we too sing: “Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Charles Spurgeon wrote: “Wonders of grace beyond all enumeration take their rise from the cross; adoption, pardon, justification, and a long chain of godlike miracles of love proceed from it. Note that our Lord here speaks of the Lord as ‘my God.’ The man Christ Jesus claimed for Himself and us a covenant relationship with Jehovah. Let our interest in our God be ever to us our peculiar treasure.”

Discussion: What are some of the works and thoughts of God for which we may give thanks and praise?

Saints’ Delight –Psalm 40:6-10

God’s works and thoughts toward us come from his mercy and love. His love and mercy is unlimited, given by grace, a gift, most awesome and wonderful. How shall we respond? David knew the answer. God did not desire sacrifice and offerings. David’s ears were open by the Spirit of God to hear the way that the Lord would have him go.

Works of obedience do not save us. However, works of obedience are the fruits of trust and faith. They reveal a heart of gratitude. Therefore, the Christian sings with David: “I delight to do thy will, O my God.” The Christian delights to do the will of God. And how does the Christian know what is the will of God? The Christian knows the will of God by having the law of God within his heart. How does this writing of the moral law upon hearts come to us? The Spirit, who teaches us, as we come to his written Word, is the means by which our lives become more and more like Christ. Our devotion to our Lord comes from within, from that new nature which has been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and renewed by the Spirit of God. The Lord is our trust. Therefore we will desire and pray that his Word will be written upon our hearts. From the heart comes the desire then to do his will and work.

This light which David has received from his Lord is not to be hid under a bushel. He says that he “preached righteousness in the great congregation.” This word, “preach,” means “to be fresh.” David had good news that needed to be told to the congregation of God’s people. The Gospel is always fresh, as well as refreshing. It is an every flowing fountain cleansing and refreshing the hearts of believers. It is righteousness that cannot be hid. It declares God’s faithfulness and salvation. To conceal the wonderful saving grace of God in Christ would be to withhold the glorious loving-kindness of God.

Discussion: What are “works of obedience” to the Christian?

Preserve Me –Psalm 40:11

When a Christian prays in the knowledge that the Lord is his Savior, his words are ones of confidence in the midst of troubles. There are many times that our prayers are cries for help. But even then they are testimonies of our trust in our Lord. David’s prayer is, “Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving-kindness and thy truth continually preserve me.” The reason for David’s request for protection is found in verses 12-17. The Christian’s prayer is a witness to his faith in Christ as the only deliverer. Therefore, we who seek the Lord, who love him and his saving grace, sing, “The Lord be magnified.”

Discussion: How would you show your trust in the Lord as you pray to your Father in heaven?