LIFE IN THE PIT – This psalm begins with an autobiographical account of someone who faced the desolate pit--a dire, hopeless, disorienting place (vv. 1-4). Was it a life-threatening illness? Danger from some enemy? Imprisonment or execution? Whatever the immediate cause, the desolate pit was probably an allusion to the land of death--Sheol (Pss. 30:3; 88:3-4, etc.).

WHAT MATTERS MOST – The psalmist indicates a sacrificial offering which would be an appropriate worshipful response for having been delivered from evil or sin. Yet to read on is to realize that the psalmist has concluded that what matters most of all is the good heart or obedience toward God and neighbor. "Religious ritual without service to God and neighbo4r is worse than no ritual at all." [1]

PSALM 40 IN HEBREWS 10 –

. . . it is significant that the author of Hebrews [Chapter 10] viewed the psalmist as a type of Christ. As in Psalm 40, the proper sacrifice is the offering of the obedient self. Because Jesus invited his followers to pick up their crosses and follow him (Mark 8:34), the psalmist also becomes a type for all disciples. Psalm 40 and the gospel call us, in recognition of God’s sovereign claim upon us, to offer God our whole selves, our lives--open to God’s instruction and delighting to do God’s will. [2]

 

The tradition of giving one’s testimony strengthens the community of believers. Sometimes quiet people leave this responsibility to extroverts, but each of us has a unique story to tell. Reflect on your experience of community. How might you tell your story? Do you participate in a small group where sharing is encouraged? Do you meet with a soul friend? How are you witnessing to the presence of God in your life? [3]

 

This would be a terrific lesson to invite communal witness to God’s work in personal and congregational life. Several weeks prior to this sermon, invite persons from the congregation to prepare a short faith-story on how they have encountered God’s help during a difficult time. You might have a general invitation placed in the bulletin or emailed to your office. Select two or three of the ones most appropriate for your community. Such sharing would strengthen, vitalize, and encourage in the worship service. We have done this successfully on several occasions and always with powerful and invigorating results.

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[1] New Proclamation, Marshall Johnson, ed. (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001), page 96.
[2] The New Interpreter’s Bible IV (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1996), page 845.
[3] Spiritual Formation Bible (Zondervan, 1999), page 726.