"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit." Psalm 51:12

"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. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you. I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." Psalm 40:1-5

Waiting patiently for the Lord: The Psalmist cries out, "Create in me a clean heart, O God." Psalm 51:10a and sustain (to gather, to be supported by leaning upon) with a willing, ready to respond spirit (Psalm 51:12b).

And, waiting patiently we look to the strength and empowerment of the triune God. In Psalm 40, the writer waits patiently upon the Lord and places himself in the path of blessing.

PLACING SELF IN THE PATH OF BLESSING/HAPPINESS

I. Remember and rejoice

1. He inclined to me and heard my cry (He graciously stooped down and listened).
2. He drew me out of the pit of despair and destruction.
3. He set my feet upon a rock AND made my steps secure.
4. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to the Lord.

• Note the link between a thankful heart and infectious enthusiasm. (v.3b and Psalm 51:13)

II. Stop and ponder life choices in light of the goodness of the Lord (vv. 4-5)

We constantly stand at a crossroads.

“Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16

“A cow cannot be very good or very bad; a dog can be both better and worse; a child, better and worse still; a person, still more so; a person of genius, still more so; a superhuman spirit best -or worst- of all.” CS Lewis, Mere Christianity

“Each new generation; and each new person, reaps what others have sown and then sews what others will reap. This is true not only of goodness, but also of evil, which each generation not only receives, but also ratifies by its own sin…The glory of God’s good creation has not been obliterated by the tragedy of fall into sin, but it has been deeply shadowed by it. The history of our race is, in large part, the interplay of this light and shadow.” Cornealius Plantinga Jr., Engaging God’s World, p.53 

WE WAIT PATIENTLY: Create in me a clean heart, O God. (Psalm 51:10a)...Sustain (to gather, support by leaning upon) me with a willing, ready to respond spirit. (Psalm 51:12b) 

QUESTIONS: 

1. What does it mean to place yourself in the path of blessing, and to wait patiently for the mercy of the Lord?

2. How has the Lord saved you from the pit of destruction (places we have been or could have gone)?

3. Do you agree that the devil has a hatred of Christ-honoring music? Why?

4. In Psalm 40:1-3a, how is the individual a walking communique regarding the mercy of Christ as observed by the watching world? (Matthew 5:16) 

5. What are some of the lies that the proud (those who dismiss God or rage against him) believe?

6. How has the Father performed many wonders for you? (v.5a)