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Sitting in a hospital works wonders for one’s trust in God.
My husband and I have seen with our own eyes how God delivers people from pain, troubles, and sadness. It’s not that we won’t experience these hard things. We will see suffering in this life (Romans 5:1-5), but God always remains present for us to trust through the good and the rough. His answer may not always be what we expect, but we can rely on Him to give us what we need (Psalm 34:8-9).
Waiting While Crying Out
In Psalm 40, David waited and received answers from God on his previous troubles (Psalm 40:1). He witnessed God’s good deeds, deepening his knowledge of Him (Psalm 40:3) and set about praising Him.
“Such wonders of God demand a response (Psalm 40:5). No ritual will suffice (Psalm 40:6), only serious commitment to God’s will (Psalm 40:7-8).” (Source: New Bible Commentary, p. 512)
Image from Microsoft Clip Art
Yet, David still needed God’s help and deliverance (Psalm 40:11-13). Continuing to need God’s help did not cause David’s trust to suffer. Instead, he trusted all the more because he had witnessed God’s saving redemption. And because of that trust, he waited patiently while still crying out to God for His saving help. Trust breeds patience and that patience signifies deep trust. Oh, to have that trust!
The New Bible Commentary looks at David’s example of patient trust and summarizes: “How we react to life constitutes a potent testimony and nothing is more powerful than to maintain a simple attitude of waiting trust” (p. 512).
He Delivers
God’s love and faithfulness protects (Psalm 40:11). He gives not only His salvation and His physical protection, but His love and faithfulness protect our hearts, too.
Psalm 40:17 declares that God helps and delivers. We can trust even these words because we know His Word to be true (Psalm 33:4).
We always need God’s gracious help. And He is always willing to give it His children, who love Him, revere Him, and seek Him wholeheartedly. We can do all of this in trust because we see how He delivers. We have known from the beginning (Psalm 22:9-10) and in spite of those who mock the faith (Psalm 22:8) – God is trustworthy. I may want answers fast or a different path than what may be placed in front of me, but in and throughout it all, I have a God who opens my ears to hear His blessings (Psalm 40:6) and opens my heart to receive His love.
My prayer today is to trust like David shows us because God’s love and deliverance produces this praise-filled reliance:
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him…” – Psalm 37:7
How have you personally seen God deliver? What else did you learn from this week’s Run To Him reading in Psalm 40?
A wife, mother, avid reader, homeschooling momma, and writer, Caroline is imperfect at all of those but thankful for every bit. Eager to grow with believers in deeper, more grace-focused faith, Caroline loves to study His Word, share it with others, and learn more and more how to fully lean on Him to live it out. You can also find Caroline at Under God’s Mighty Hand and on Twitter.
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful scriptures! Putting a voice in prayer to His faithfulness and all the actions He’s brought on my behalf in the past keep me still and waiting for Him as I need His continued help. I blogged on a similar topic this morning and how God gives us opportunity for reward in the midst of hurt. Be blessed as you continue to seek Him and point others to His great truths.
I love this devotion! For me, when I remember who God is, His perfect track record of faithfulness, and His promises to me, trusting God comes natural. But the second my eyes shift away from being fixed on the Lord and onto the looming problem before me trusting God can be very challenging for me. I really like how Pastor Romaine puts it. “God can get you saved, give you everlasting life, and prepare a place for you. So we’re willing to believe, “Yeah, okay I’ve got everlasting life. I go to be with the Lord. I don’t have to worry about it—that’s all been taken care of. What I’ve got to worry about now is how am I going to get the rent?” It boggles my mind how I can wholeheartedly trust God for something as huge as securing my eternal salvation, yet fail to face the trials of life with that same confidence in God. Chuck Smith explains this paradox: “It is hard to trust somebody you don’t know. When a person comes up to me and says, “Oh, I have the hardest time trusting God,” what they are really saying is, “I really don’t know God very well.” Because if you know God well you will have no problem trusting in Him at all. How can you know God? Through His Word. Because He has revealed Himself to us. So faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God. If you want your faith increased, study the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) This is why I love the Do Not Depart website and community of believers. We are setting our minds on the very thing that will strengthen our faith! God bless you ladies for putting up and maintaining this website! It is such a blessing!
Brooke, you make a great point in your second sentence. It’s when we focus on the problem instead of God that trust becomes difficult and worry seeps in. I totally get this (because I unfortunately let it happen)!
And yes to this: “It boggles my mind how I can wholeheartedly trust God for something as huge as securing my eternal salvation, yet fail to face the trials of life with that same confidence in God.” Wow.
Thank you so much for sharing your comments here today! You’ve blessed me by doing so, and I’m sure your words will bless others!
“Trust breeds patience and that patience signifies deep trust.”
I love that statement, Caroline. So true. Then Brooke’s comment from Chuck Smith that it’s hard to trust who we don’t know, makes me want to continue learning more and more about God so I will trust him more and more, and become more and more patient.
When I read Psalm 40 this week, each time it blew me away, ministering to me right in my need. I think I could stay a month in it, getting something fresh out of it every time.
Yes, Lisa, I agree! I could keep reading it and get something new/applicable each time, too. Each time I read it this week, a different verse would jump out at me, or a same verse would hit me a deeper level. The topic of trust is one I *always* can improve on (always in this life, at least!) and very needed during our family situation right now, too.
I’m with you, Lisa. Praying to focus on Him to know Him more and more (and then trust more!).
These Chapters 40, 22 & 37 were applied in my life & shared in the lives of those mine touches this week. God & His Word are amazing. He delivers us & delivers all our needs right when we need whether we are aware of it or not. I pray I will have eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to feel & a mind to understand His deliverance more & more.
Thank You for a devotion full of wisdom & direction back to His Word. I am Blessed continually by this Bible Study & all who are walking thru Psalms with me, exploring all He has for us.
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful scriptures! Putting a voice in prayer to His faithfulness and all the actions He’s brought on my behalf in the past keep me still and waiting for Him as I need His continued help. I blogged on a similar topic this morning and how God gives us opportunity for reward in the midst of hurt. Be blessed as you continue to seek Him and point others to His great truths.
It’s amazing how praying aloud (or in our hearts) refocuses our mindset to be able to wait on Him, doesn’t it?
What great truths you shared with your son (and us) in your personal blog post. Thanks for telling us about it here!
So true, Caroline. Troubles and pain in this life are inevitable but we can trust Him through whatever season we find ourselves in.
And I have to keep reminding myself of that always-available trust! Thanks for stopping by, Eileen!
I love this devotion! For me, when I remember who God is, His perfect track record of faithfulness, and His promises to me, trusting God comes natural. But the second my eyes shift away from being fixed on the Lord and onto the looming problem before me trusting God can be very challenging for me. I really like how Pastor Romaine puts it. “God can get you saved, give you everlasting life, and prepare a place for you. So we’re willing to believe, “Yeah, okay I’ve got everlasting life. I go to be with the Lord. I don’t have to worry about it—that’s all been taken care of. What I’ve got to worry about now is how am I going to get the rent?” It boggles my mind how I can wholeheartedly trust God for something as huge as securing my eternal salvation, yet fail to face the trials of life with that same confidence in God. Chuck Smith explains this paradox: “It is hard to trust somebody you don’t know. When a person comes up to me and says, “Oh, I have the hardest time trusting God,” what they are really saying is, “I really don’t know God very well.” Because if you know God well you will have no problem trusting in Him at all. How can you know God? Through His Word. Because He has revealed Himself to us. So faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word of God. If you want your faith increased, study the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) This is why I love the Do Not Depart website and community of believers. We are setting our minds on the very thing that will strengthen our faith! God bless you ladies for putting up and maintaining this website! It is such a blessing!
Brooke, you make a great point in your second sentence. It’s when we focus on the problem instead of God that trust becomes difficult and worry seeps in. I totally get this (because I unfortunately let it happen)!
And yes to this: “It boggles my mind how I can wholeheartedly trust God for something as huge as securing my eternal salvation, yet fail to face the trials of life with that same confidence in God.” Wow.
Thank you so much for sharing your comments here today! You’ve blessed me by doing so, and I’m sure your words will bless others!
“Trust breeds patience and that patience signifies deep trust.”
I love that statement, Caroline. So true. Then Brooke’s comment from Chuck Smith that it’s hard to trust who we don’t know, makes me want to continue learning more and more about God so I will trust him more and more, and become more and more patient.
When I read Psalm 40 this week, each time it blew me away, ministering to me right in my need. I think I could stay a month in it, getting something fresh out of it every time.
Yes, Lisa, I agree! I could keep reading it and get something new/applicable each time, too. Each time I read it this week, a different verse would jump out at me, or a same verse would hit me a deeper level. The topic of trust is one I *always* can improve on (always in this life, at least!) and very needed during our family situation right now, too.
I’m with you, Lisa. Praying to focus on Him to know Him more and more (and then trust more!).
Hi Caroline,
These Chapters 40, 22 & 37 were applied in my life & shared in the lives of those mine touches this week. God & His Word are amazing. He delivers us & delivers all our needs right when we need whether we are aware of it or not. I pray I will have eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to feel & a mind to understand His deliverance more & more.
Thank You for a devotion full of wisdom & direction back to His Word. I am Blessed continually by this Bible Study & all who are walking thru Psalms with me, exploring all He has for us.
Love Ya, Susie :)
I totally agree at how amazing God and His Word are, Susie! Thank you for such encouragement you shared here!