Psalm 40:2-3, "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. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD."

The Psalmist speaks of a joyful time of God's deliverance in his life. He begins by stating: "I waited patiently for the LORD, and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry." (vs. 1) David gives God the credit for answering his prayer and delivering him from this horrible pit. It appears to me that he speaks metaphorically of a time in his life. It also appears like a time which accurately describes the plight of one who is lost without Christ. He is, as it were, in the pit on his way to destruction and hell without any sound footing. Those who are lost have chosen to build their house upon the sand rather than upon the rock of Christ. As God answers the prayer of David the LORD brings such a great deliverance that he may now say He, "...set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." God enabled David to walk on solid ground; he conducted him along safely, where there was no danger of descending to the pit again or of sinking in the mire.

David's response to God's deliverance is found in verse three, "And he (the LORD) hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." The idea of a new song denotes the fact of a new occasion for celebration. God's deliverance was so special that it prompted from David's lips a new song of praise directed to the LORD. What is interesting is the wording that follows: "many shall see it." One would think it would say, "many shall hear it." But what is true about life is the things that God uses to impact others is not as much what we say, but what we do and others behold. What David is saying is that great numbers (many) shall be made aware of this time of God's great deliverance in his life and his response of praise, and it will result in their learning to fear the LORD and trust Him. Others would learn to reverence God, to worship God, to obey God, and put their confidence in God.

What do others see in your life? Do they see a song of praise directed to the Lord? Do they see a marked difference in your life from the time when you were lost and when you were saved? Our lives should accurately reflect the great deliverance of God through our praise of Him.

Lift your voice in thanksgiving and allow others to see the difference God has made in your life! It may change those around you.

May we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. How would you distinguish between a life with a spiritual foundation with a life without such a foundation?

2. How would you say God has established your goings (steps or way)?

3. Do you have a clear Christian testimony? How has your life influenced others for Christ?

4. How has God made a difference in your life beyond giving you eternal life?