Psalm 40:1–3 

I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, 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.

I love a good testimony. You know, those stories people tell about the amazing things God did in their lives. These verses are part of David’s testimony. He wants us to know what God did for him when he was in need. 

First, it’s interesting to note that David “waited patiently” when he was in trouble. Wow… I’ve got to work on that one (with God’s help). Waiting and patiently don’t often make an appearance together in the same sentence in my life. How could he wait so patiently? Because he was waiting on the LORD (not a change in his circumstance). 

When God “inclined” and heard David’s cry – a euphemism for answering his prayer – God drew David up out of the pit of destruction, the miry bog. Have you ever visited those places? Probably not willingly, but life has a way of throwing you in them from time to time. But David shows us what to do in those circumstances, we cry out to the Lord as we wait on Him… and in time (His time), He delivers. 

Once He does, things are much better: solid rock to stand on, secure footing, a new song to sing. Ahhh, that’s more like it, right? 

But what’s the point, our comfort? Well, God does delight to give His kids good things (see 1 Timothy 6:17). But if we stop there we miss the bigger picture. 

“Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.” 

THAT is often the point of our pits and miry bogs. God is setting the stage so that people can see how He cares for His own. It’s a “come and see what the Lord can do” moment for them, where they see God’s goodness, power, and wisdom and turn to Him – hopefully, in faith. 

So as you seek the Lord, keep in mind that YOUR idea of what He’s doing is seldom the whole picture. Remember that as He works all things together for good (Romans 8:28), there are a LOT of things included in that “all things” part. The specific things YOU are most interested in are probably in there, but I suspect that it’s not the MOST important from God’s perspective. 

Trust the Lord when you wait on Him, when you call on Him for deliverance, when You receive His deliverance… and look to see how Your story can be a testimony for others about the greatness of Your God. 

-Pastor Carey