As I ponder the effects on people of the Christchurch Earthquake, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually it seems almost too much to bear. In a physical sense people have seen tonnes of silt, almost miry clay too sticky to cope with. Many have lost colleagues, seen their workplaces damaged and destroyed, lost their jobs, lost their homes, become dislocated. David experienced many different emotions some which he brought on himself because of disobedience. In this Psalm we see how he recognised where he got to a horrible pit, a place of muddy miry clay, to deep for him to get out of himself, so he WAITED PATIENTLY for the Lord’s help, he cried out, and was rescued, his feet were placed on solid ground, he was re-established, strengthened, a new song was placed in his heart.
My prayer for the people of Canterbury is that they will turn to the Lord, that they will seek him, and that his churches will be equipped to help people clamber out of the horrible pit, and find a new reality, a new hope in God.
Psalm 40 vs. 1-5 – Our God Who Lifts Us Out of the Mire
I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground
LORD in this pluralist and secular nation the only thing that matters is to give things a try
It’s all right just do it, don’t worry about the consequences, the advertisers messages resound
To stand out to say and live in a way that speaks of you is hard in a world that is spiritually dry
Yet it is as I seek first your kingdom and its righteousness, that I can in your Spirit be found
You call me to lift my eyes up, to focus on what is right, to worship in Spirit and truth and not lie
You alone have the words of eternal life; you alone can lift me up put my feet on solid ground
And steadied me as I walked along, he has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise
To our God many will see what he has done and be astounded, they will put their trust in the LORD
I walk in the knowledge that even though I can be cast down, you lift me up, are with me all my days
You call me to witness to you in all my life, to seek your will, and to chew, meditate upon your word
As the hymn says there is no other way to be happy in Jesus unless we are prepared to trust and obey
May I witness of you, may people see your work in me, be astounded and put their trust in you LORD
Oh, the joys of those who trust in the LORD, who have no confidence in the proud,
Or those who worship idols, O LORD my God, you have done miracles for us,
David knew what it was to be under threat from his enemies to you he cried out loud
He knew that you alone could raise him up out of his troubles, over him fuss
He determined he wanted to worship you and you alone and to not follow the crowd
He followed you, he erred, yet could say for him and Israel you have done miracles for us
Your plans for us are to numerous to list. If I tried to recite
All your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them
Your plans for us today are so great, they shouldn’t fail to excite
Your ways, your thoughts are so high I cannot comprehend them
You delight in your people, and we are always in your sight
Our steps are ordered by you; you plan and go before them
Even though we fall, in us you take joy, have great delight
In all we do may we seek your plans and hold onto them
Mark Maffey, September 2007© (NLT)
http://maffster.blogtown.co.nz/