Verse of the Day 5/10

Verse of the Day 5/10

 Psalm 40:1-2

I waited and waited and waited some more,

patiently, knowing God would come through for me.
Then, at last, he bent down and listened to my cry.
² He stooped down to lift me out of danger
from the desolate pit I was in,
out of the muddy mess I had fallen into.
Now he's lifted me up into a firm, secure place
and steadied me while I walk along his ascending path.    The Passion Translation (TPT)

The other day we considered the challenges of "the ordeals of life" .  God gives us strength day by day in His Word, in prayer and by the help of His people, our friends.  But that doesn't mean the answers that we seek will come quickly.  Waiting is usually involved along with persistent prayer and seeking after God.

I don't believe that Tom Petty was a theologian but his words may ring true for many of us Christians as he wrote and sang:

The waiting is the hardest part
Every day you see one more card
You take it on faith, you take it to the heart
The waiting is the hardest part

Steve Fuller writes,  "The Hebrew word [for waiting] does not mean passive waiting; it means eager seeking. It means taking the steps that God has promised to use to help us, while trusting him expectantly to work."

The psalmist here, in The Passion Translation;  describes finding himself in the "muddy mess".  Have you found yourself there?  It is not easy, but may we seek Him eagerly, not passively while we wait for deliverance.  One day He will lift you to a secure place and steady you while you walk on the upward way.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Psalm 40:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

Faith Persevering in Trial

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
² He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
³ He has put a new song in my mouth—
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.

⁴ Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust,
And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
⁵ Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works
Which You have done;
And Your thoughts toward us
Cannot be recounted to You in order;
If I would declare and speak of them,
They are more than can be numbered.