Early Christians were epistles “known and read by everyone” (2 Cor 3:2, ISV). What says the Epistle by You?
You can hardly hurry by such a masterpiece as Psalm 40. It would be like trampling roughshod through a garden of exotic flowers. So far, we’ve heard the Sinner’s Plea (vv 1-3), the Saint’s Praise (vv 4-5), the Savior’s Provision (vv 6-8), and the Salvation Proclamation (vv 9-10). There are still three sections to enjoy! Let’s consider next the Shepherd’s Protection (vv 11-12). Says David, “I have declared…Your lovingkindness and Your truth” (v 10) to everyone else, but, Lord, I don’t just want to talk it—I want to walk it. “Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me” (v 11). The same truths that save me also sustain me. The Cross is the sinner’s rescue mission and the saint’s worship center. The Word that convicted us now corrects us and comforts us. The same Spirit who wooed and won us now teaches and transforms us. It’s exactly the same faith that saved us that also secures us. Yes, it’s great to preach these truths, but we need to practice them, too. The same Good Shepherd who gave His life for us is the Great Shepherd who gives His life to us. So in the face of trials and temptations (v 12), I need the daily provision of the Lord’s “tender mercies.” I need the sustaining care of His “lovingkindness.” And I need the divine preservative of His “truth.” In this regard, honest-hearted David presents the Sufferer’s Petition (vv 13-15) and then the Seeker’s Prayer (vv 16-17). As the old fellow said, “Life sure ain’t easy—but I found His yoke to be.” Or as David put it, “Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me!” He begins the psalm by saying, “I waited patiently” (lit, “I waited waitingly”). He finishes, “Do not delay, O my God” (v 16). I’m sure glad He’s “a very present help” for us (Ps 46:1)!