What He Did For Me

Psalm 40:2

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

Psalm 40 is one of the Messianic Psalms.  When you read it with that in mind, it is easy to see Christ brought forth in its verses.  One of the things that I love most about the Psalms is that they can be read, studied, and used in different aspects.  Many of them, like Psalm 40, are prophetic.  They are also literal songs that were sung by the children of Israel as they went to the temple, while they were in the temple, and on their way out of the temple.  The Psalms are also very devotional.  God can speak to us as individuals from these inspired songs to minister to circumstances we face each and every day.  Psalm 40:1-3 has been used by God in my life almost as long as I have been a Christian.  It reminds me of everything that God did for me in salvation.  Today, I want to share with you some devotional thoughts from these three verses.

1. He Inclined Unto Me – Psalm 40:1
   When I think of this statement, I picture the Lord sitting on the edge of His throne ready to rescue me.  We all know what it means to recline and that it is the polar opposite of incline.  God is not reclined away from us, unknowing and unconcerned of our condition.  He is on full alert, aware of our predicament, waiting for our request to intervene.
2. He Heard My Cry – Psalm 40:1
   God hears us.  What a glorious thought.  I am so glad that when we cry out to Him, those cries do not fall on deaf ears.  God’s inclined position toward us further establishes His promise to hear us.  Everything about this verse makes us aware that God is ready to save.
3. He Brought Me Up and Out – Psalm 40:2
   When I first started preaching, I misquoted this verse for several years.  I would always say “lifted” instead of “brought”.  I was so happy when I realized my mistake.  There is a big difference between the two.  You can reach down and lift someone out of a pit with a rope, a ladder, or some other device without getting to the person in need yourself.  God did not lift us out, He brought us out.  He came to where we were and personally rescued us.  I praise God for the day when I could not reach up to Him, He came to me and brought me out.
4. He Set My Feet – Psalm 40:2
   A solid rock is the opposite of miry clay.  We lived our lives in the muck and the mire of this world of sin.  From the pit of bondage we cried out to the Lord for salvation, and He delivered us and changed our footing.  We now stand upon the rock, and that Rock is Christ.
5. He Established My Goings – Psalm 40:2
   Not only do we now have a foundation, we also have direction.  Our footing is sure and so are our steps.  God has given us everything we need to walk with purpose.  The steps of His children are ordered by the Lord and because of Him our ways are established.
6. He Put a New Song in My Mouth – Psalm 40:3
   The heart that was empty and silent of praise, has now been filled with a song.  It is a living song that can be seen.  The wording of Scripture here lets us know that God has given us a life of praise.  The new life that constantly sings out praises to God our Redeemer is a testimony and light to those around us.  This world needs the Lord and the best way we can show them His power and grace is to live a life that brings glory, honor and praise to the One loved us and gave Himself for us.

As I mentioned earlier, these are devotional thoughts I have shared with you.  I challenge you to read the Bible and then meditate on what you read throughout the day.  God will speak to you as you do this and your faith will be strengthened and your heart will be encouraged.