Confidence In A Competent Creator

Confidence In A Competent Creator

Text: Ps.40: 4; Prov.3: 26

Intro: Webster’s Dictionary defines confidence as “firm belief; trust; reliance; the fact of being or feeling certain; assurance…object of trust” (Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief and David B. Guralnik, Editor in Chief Emeritus, Webster’s New World Dictionary Of American English, Third Edition, published by Webster’s New World, Cleveland & New York; pg. 292).

People place their confidence in many things these days. Some place their confidence in astrology charts, while others trust in the words of the latest guru. Some people put their confidence in their intelligence or their skills, while others rely upon their influence and connections. But our texts would indicate that our confidence should be solely in the Lord. As a matter of fact, King David said that those who put their confidence in the Lord are blessed. One translation puts it this way, “Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord…” (Holy Bible, New Living Translation, published by Tyndale House Publishing, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois; pg. 589).

Psalm 40: 1-10 is basically a psalm of thanksgiving for answered prayer. That answer to prayer came as a result of David’s confident faith in God.

Like David, we have much to thank God for today. Tomorrow we celebrate Veterans Day; a day to remember and be thankful for those who have served in America’s armed forces in the past, as well as those who presently serve their country. We owe our service men and women a great debt of gratitude for the dangers and loneliness they have endured for our benefit.

This church also has reason to be thankful to God today. It has been by His gracious supply that we have had the wherewithal to remodel our sanctuary, and improve the appearance of God’s house. Thank the Lord for what He has done for us.

Regardless of what the world says about God these days, He is a competent Creator in whom we can have confidence. It is that idea we wish to explore today.

Theme: Confidence in God produces:

I. PROVISION FROM GOD

A. David’s Confidence In God Led Him To Wait.

Ps.40: 1a “I waited patiently for the Lord…”

NOTE: [1] The idea behind the words “I waited patiently” is not only that of waiting, but also that of “an eager hopefulness” in waiting (Robert Davidson, The Vitality Of Worship, published by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; pg. 133).

[2] One of the things we Americans have a hard time doing is waiting. We are an impatient people. We have grown used to convenience and timesaving devices. And there is nothing wrong with that in itself. But folks, answers to prayer are rarely instant. God often requires us to learn to wait. He wants us to learn to maintain “an eager hopefulness” in Him, even when the answers to our legitimate prayers don’t come immediately.

[3] G. Campbell Morgan had the following to say about waiting on God:

Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.

G. Campbell Morgan

B. David’s Confidence In God Moved God To Work.

Ps.40: 1b “…and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

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.”

NOTE: [1] When David waited with eager expectation, God heard his prayer and answered his request. Jeremiah 33: 3 makes this same promise to us when it says, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

[2] We aren’t told of the particular problem or problems to which David alludes here. But the implication seems to be that he felt trapped and uncertain of life. One version translates the words “horrible pit” (v. 2a) with the words “a pit of tumult and of destruction” (The Lockman Foundation, The Amplified Bible, published by Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan; The Amplified Old Testament, pg. 638). The idea of uncertainty is also brought out by the words “miry clay” (v. 2b). This makes reference to the froth and slime of an extremely muddy area where ones footing is precarious.

[3] David then indicates that since God rescued him, he was on a firm foundation, and his steps were steady (v. 2c). The point of what David has said here seems to be like that found in an earlier psalm.

Ps.37: 4 “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.