Do we confess our sins and wait patiently for God’s forgiveness and healing? Is there a sacrifice that would permanently pay the price for our sins? Let’s look at Psalm 40.
Does God build faith as we wait patiently for Him to hear our prayers?
I patiently waited, Lord, for you to hear my prayer. You listened and pulled me from a lonely pit full of mud and mire. You let me stand on a rock with my feet firm, and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God. (Ps 40:1-3 CEV)
In whom do we place our trust, the proud, liars, or God?
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. (Ps 40:4-5 ESV)
What does God delight in, religious ceremony or those who do His will?
You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; You open my ears to listen. You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering. Then I said, “See, I have come; it is written about me in the volume of the scroll. I delight to do Your will, my God; Your instruction lives within me.” (Ps 40:6-8 HCSB Heb 10:5-7)
Is the good news proclaimed in our congregation? Are God’s faithfulness and deliverance, love and truthfulness preached?
In the great congregation I have proclaimed the righteous good news. Behold, I did not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I have not ignored your righteousness in my heart; instead, I have proclaimed your faithfulness and deliverance. I have not concealed your gracious love and truthfulness from the great congregation. (Ps 40:9-10 ISV)
When our iniquities take a tight hold on us, does our heart fail? Do we confess our sins to God?
Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me. (Ps 40:11-12 KJV)
Do we ask God to deliver us from our own sin and the consequences?
Be pleased, O Yahweh, to deliver me; Make haste, O Yahweh, to help me. Let those be ashamed and humiliated together Who seek my life to sweep it away; Let those be turned back and dishonored Who delight in evil against me. Let those be appalled because of their shame Who say to me, “Aha, aha!” Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let those who love Your salvation say continually, “Yahweh be magnified!” As for me, I am afflicted and needy, May the Lord think of me. You are my help and the One who rescues me; Do not delay, O my God. (Ps 40:13-17 LSB)
How is the sacrificial system transformed under the new covenant in daily life?
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Rom 12:1 NASB)
After quoting Jesus, citing verses 6-8, what did Paul say about Jesus’ personal sacrifice, and the new covenant?
First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first [covenant] to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb 10:8–10 NIV)
Do we confess our sins and wait patiently for God’s forgiveness and healing? Is there a sacrifice that would permanently pay the price for our sins? You decide!
