Life Lessons from Psalm 40

Life is a lesson - one after another.  Today I was meditating on Psalm 40.  I remember reading it intensely when I was going through struggles in my marriage.   My thoughts are in red. 

Psalm 40

 ¹ I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,          I started to focus on Him - not my circumstances      and he turned to me and heard my cry.
 ² He lifted me out of the pit of despair,                  When I did, He began to heal my pain      out of the mud and the mire.
   He set my feet on solid ground                           My focus was on Him - not my husband      and steadied me as I walked along.
 ³ He has given me a new song to sing,                  Life seemed manageable with Him in control - not me      a hymn of praise to our God.
   Many will see what he has done and be amazed.    My husband began seeing a change in me &
      They will put their trust in the Lord.                   started to seek Him too
 ⁴ Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,      What other people thought  didn't matter anymore      who have no confidence in the proud           I stopped focusing on my husband's sinful behavior      or in those who worship idols.
 ⁵ O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.  God began healing both of our hearts      Your plans for us are too numerous to list.
      You have no equal.
   If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
      I would never come to the end of them.      The more I spent time with Christ; I felt safe with others
 ⁶ You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.  I stopped isolating myself from people      Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand^[a]—
      you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Christ loved me - for me; I didn't have to work for it ⁷ Then I said, “Look, I have come.
      As is written about me in the Scriptures:
 ⁸ I take joy in doing your will, my God,
      for your instructions are written on my heart.”    I finally understood - I can trust in Him alone
 ⁹ I have told all your people about your justice.
      I have not been afraid to speak out,
      as you, O Lord, well know.                          I'm not ashamed to share my story of healing ¹⁰ I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart;
      I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
   I have told everyone in the great assembly
      of your unfailing love and faithfulness.            Christ is the only one who can heal a broken heart
 ¹¹ Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
      Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.   When I struggle; I have to hold on to Him ¹² For troubles surround me—
      too many to count!                        Not all my circumstances have completely changed; life goes on   My sins pile up so high
      I can’t see my way out.              I focus on my sinful behavior before God; not on sins of others    They outnumber the hairs on my head.
      I have lost all courage.
 ¹³ Please, Lord, rescue me!
      Come quickly, Lord, and help me.       He shows me my heart, brings repentance and  
¹⁴ May those who try to destroy me             despite what they do....I can truly forgive      be humiliated and put to shame.
   May those who take delight in my trouble
      be turned back in disgrace.                    
 ¹⁵ Let them be horrified by their shame,
      for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”    God is my defender - I don't have to fight the battle
 ¹⁶ But may all who search for you
      be filled with joy and gladness in you.
   May those who love your salvation
      repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!”      I pray that those who hurt me; find Him ¹⁷ As for me, since I am poor and needy,
      let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
   You are my helper and my savior.
      O my God, do not delay.                       He always takes care of me, He is my Daddy!