I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the desolate pit, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.
Happy are those who make the Lord their trust, who do not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after false gods. You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. Were I to proclaim and tell of them, they would be more than can be counted.
Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, “Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; see, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord. I have not hidden your saving help within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation.
Do not, O Lord, withhold your mercy from me; let your steadfast love and your faithfulness keep me safe forever. ~ Psalm 40:1-11
Anyone who knows me (and probably even some that don't!) knows that this Psalm has a special meaning to me. I've spoken here before about its importance to me when I heard it as a song by the group U2.
So what is it about it? What is so special about this Psalm?
Is it that it reminds me to be patient? Is it that God hears my cries for deliverance? Is it that God makes me stand on solid ground and makes my footsteps sure?
Is it the music that God puts in my mouth and on my heart?
Or all of the above?
This week we are seeing how God calls us - and how God called those before us.
That call gives us solid ground to stand upon. It gives us a song to sing and a heart for love.
And like the Psalmist, and like Isaiah and David and all those before there is one answer.
"Here I am."
Here I am, Lord. Send me. Amen
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