“What pleases God”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Friday, May 5, 2023
Psalm 40 (Forward, p. 7) CEV p. 578
This psalm is a prayer for help, but in some ways his petitions to God take second place, second place to what is more important in his life. What David says is most important to him is pleasing God. And he defines this as having God’s law embedded in his heart and being willing to listen to God and obey Him. Furthermore, he has decided never to put his trust in useless things like idols or false gods, but to trust instead only in God. And, in spite of his sorrows and difficulties—which are many, and rather trying to say the least—he not only trusts God and prays to Him but also praises Him for His goodness, mercy and love.
Again, to me, this poses a challenge, for together as a nation and as a people we are inclined to want to place our trust in things like banks and bank accounts, or in governments, or in those around us—friends and relatives, or in our own actions and decisions. Far too often, our trust in God—at least in any meaningful or practical sense—takes second place. So, once again, it is a kind of wake-up call. Amen.
Forward notes: “Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation” (verse 11).
“I hope that you’ve had the experience of spending time listening to someone tell their story of God’s loving faithfulness. In just the last few months, I’ve heard loved ones testify to God’s faithfulness in overcoming addiction, managing cancer diagnosis and treatment, and healing from a significant heart attack.
“The late scholar Walter Fisher argued that storytelling makes us human. We live to tell stories, and the stories we tell about ourselves—and those others tell about us—become our legacy. But sometimes we feel reluctant to talk about our spiritual life. Our hopes and prayers seem too private, and we fear that talking about God’s love and faithfulness might sound foolish or naïve. That is what makes Psalm 40 so profound. We know today that sharing our stories is mentally, emotionally, and even physically healing.
So don’t hide God’s love and faithfulness away in your heart! Let your story out and let the healing continue.”
Moving Forward: “Tell your story of faith. Share it with us at #ForwardDaybyDay.