Please, Do Not Delay!

I’ve always been fond of the Psalms, but as of late, God has manifested Himself to me through the beautiful Words of these songs in a very special way. For instance, Psalm 40 has been ringing particularly loudly in my soul during the last few weeks.

One of the things God has been pressing on me is the reminder that my joy cannot depend on my circumstances for they constantly change and what seems good today, may very well be bad tomorrow. On the contrary, my joy is only complete in Him, for He is the Solid Rock that doesn’t move…that doesn’t change.

In Psalm 40, He has also showed me that my joy is complete in Him, and Him Alone because my destiny is in His book…the story of my life is written on His pages…my name is in His scroll (7). What more can I desire? What could possibly be more important? There is no situation, suffering, trial, pain or illness that could ever change the fact that I belong to Him and that His saving acts are true! It is me He was thinking of when He went to the cross and it is me He was thinking of before I was even born.

My joy is complete in YOU and only YOU, Lord…not on the things of this world, but in You. May You continue to teach me to find my joy in You…even in this world, even if I can’t see you with my limited vision, may my joy overflow as You fill my cup with Your Love!

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1: 8-9

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. Malachi 3: 16

Psalm 40

I waited patiently for the Lord;

he turned to me and heard my cry.

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.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear the Lord

and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one

who trusts in the Lord,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods

Many, Lord my God,

are the wonders you have done,

the things you planned for us.

None can compare with you;

were I to speak and tell of your deeds,

they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—

but my ears you have opened —

burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—

it is written about me in the scroll

I desire to do your will, my God;

your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;

I do not seal my lips, Lord,

as you know.

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;

I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.

I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness

from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;

may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

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.

Be pleased to save me, Lord;

come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May all who want to take my life

be put to shame and confusion;

may all who desire my ruin

be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”

be appalled at their own shame.

But may all who seek you

rejoice and be glad in you;

may those who long for your saving help always say,

“The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;

may the Lord think of me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

you are my God, do not delay.