Psalms
(The Bible)
Perhaps suspecting that this is the least appreciated aspect of seeking the face of the Lord, the Psalmist, in Psalm 40, stresses the importance of waiting after praying. His stand seems to be that all those who intend to walk with God need to internalise this truth about this all-important time of waiting. However, the mystery of waiting time is that it may vary with individuals. Nevertheless, even while still waiting, one need not stop crying unto the Lord. God uses this time of waiting for His own purposes. What really happens is that while God prepares a package in answer to our prayers, He simultaneously works on our character so that we can become more and more like Him. For instance, one of God's character traits is patience. No wonder the writer begins this Psalm by stating, ' I waited patiently for the Lord; and......'
No matter how terrible one's situation is, if one prays, God is able to deliver one out of it provided one believes and can wait. God's intention is for others to see such great deliverance so that they also can begin to trust the Lord. Blessed in this way, such people will in turn be able to declare the goodness of God to others. They will be able to state like the Psalmist, ' And He hath put a new song in my mouth..........'
Also, the writer goes on to disclose that having entered into the secret place of the Almighty, he has discovered that, deep down, God is not really interested in sacrifices and burnt offerings as mere rituals. They only became necessary because man refused to walk in the will of God and atonement needed to be made for his sin. This is because God is holy and only blood can atone for sin before God. The fact is that God is more interested in people doing His will than in anything else. The response which the Lord wants from His people, according to the writer, is therefore, ' I delight to do thy will, O my God : yea, thy law is within my heart.' To God, obedience is better than sacrifice.
As he lives to publish the goodness of God, the writer pleads with God to spare him and others like him while visiting His wrath on the wicked who are out to disgrace and destroy him.
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