[Faith-talk] Psalm 40, Encouragement In Abundance!

[Everett Gavel]

Good Morning,

I've been reading through Psalm 40 this morning.  I
don't know if you're familiar with Psalm 40.  I wasn't.
I read a verse from it this morning, in another e-mail.
I felt compelled to go and read the context.  And now,
I am encouraged!  Encouraged by the whole of the psalm.
I've included the full text, all 17 verses, below, for
your own encouragement and reading.

Yes, there are only 17 verses in Psalm 40.  In those
verses, God gives us encouragement by showing us,
reminding us, how He has pulled us out of the mire.
How He has given us The Rock to stand on, The Truth to
stand on.  And then He shows us through His word how He
would like us to behave, to live out our lives, for
Him.  Which is confidently.  I dare say in today's
language some might understand it as, "proudly."
Standing proud for God.  Not backing down or remaining
quiet.  Speaking out for our Lord and our Savior, Jesus
Christ, the one true God!

Additionally, the writer talks to God, after sharing
how he speaks boldly for God, about how he is a sinner
that has sinned more times than he has hairs on his
head. He talks of being poor and needy.  Through all
that, through all the strife in his life, still, he
speaks boldly for his Lord, the one true God.

Please, read Psalm 40, below.  You'll find 17 verses
jam-packed full of encouragement and guidance.  I pray
it will enlighten you, and encourage you, and
hopefully, hopefully, help each of us make a real
commitment to stand stronger and speak out boldly for
Jesus, for God--every chance we get.

God bless your reading today, and your efforts.


His,
Everett
everett at everettgavel.com
www.everettgavel.com


Psalm 40 (NIV)

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
       he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
       out of the mud and mire;
       he set my feet on a rock
       and gave me a firm place to stand.

3 He put a new song in my mouth,
       a hymn of praise to our God.
       Many will see and fear
       and put their trust in the LORD.

4 Blessed is the man
       who makes the LORD his trust,
       who does not look to the proud,
       to those who turn aside to false gods. [a]

5 Many, O LORD my God,
       are the wonders you have done.
       The things you planned for us
       no one can recount to you;
       were I to speak and tell of them,
       they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
       but my ears you have pierced [b] , [c] ;
       burnt offerings and sin offerings
       you did not require.

7 Then I said, "Here I am, I have come-
       it is written about me in the scroll. [d]

8 I desire to do your will, O my God;
       your law is within my heart."

9 I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly;
       I do not seal my lips,
       as you know, O LORD.

10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
       I speak of your faithfulness and salvation.
       I do not conceal your love and your truth
       from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD;
       may your love and your truth always protect me.

12 For troubles without number surround me;
       my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
       They are more than the hairs of my head,
       and my heart fails within me.

13 Be pleased, O LORD, to save me;
       O LORD, come quickly to help me.

14 May all who seek to take my life
       be put to shame and confusion;
       may all who desire my ruin
       be turned back in disgrace.

15 May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"
       be appalled at their own shame.

16 But may all who seek you
       rejoice and be glad in you;
       may those who love your salvation always say,
       "The LORD be exalted!"

17 Yet I am poor and needy;
       may the Lord think of me.
       You are my help and my deliverer;
       O my God, do not delay.


Footnotes:
Psalm 40:4 Or to falsehood
Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; Septuagint but a body you have
prepared for me (see also Symmachus and Theodotion)
Psalm 40:6 Or opened
Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me