Offer Sacrifice of Obedience to God as A Response to His Relationship with You

Bilbe Passage: Psalm 40:1-10; Hebrews 10:5-10

1. The psalmist was in a messy-situation for a prolonged period of time (“Waited waited”-infinitive construct)

(a) The words “cry,” “slimy pit (lowest level),” and “miry clay,” [figurative] convey that the
psalmist suffered loneliness, helplessness, rejection, and instability
(b) Though situation appears to have worsened, he did not cease to wait for God
(c) The psalmist did not resort to his own method of coming out, but kept “crying” to God-שַׁוְעָה) cry of anguish for not receiving an answer)

2. At the appropriate time, God reaches out to the psalmist who was in a helpless-situation and places him in a stable place

(a) The word עלה conveys someone “jumping into” or “go up” to rescue a person
(b) The word סלַׁע “cleft of a rock” is used figuratively to mean “stability”
(c) The psalmist’s situation changed from instability to stability

3. The psalm teaches that God alone is the source of help in time of trouble (verse 4)

(a) Blessed is the one who does not look to any human source
(b) Blessed is the one who does not look to any material that cannot save

4. The psalmist teaches that God has plans for those who trust Him (verse 5;-Jeremiah 29:11)

(a) The psalmist responds to God in two ways
(a1) Renewed dedication to God (vv. 7-10)
– Dedication to God is to know what pleases Him (verse 7)
– The heart of God is not one’s religious rituals or the routine work
– Obedience is the real sacrifice and response to God’s goodness
– Jesus is the model for obedience (Hebrews 10:5-7) [this is a messianic psalm]
(a2) Commitment to share his testimony to others

5. The writer of the book of Hebrews highlights Jesus’ obedience for the benefit of-others (Hebrews 10:5-10; cf. Psalm 40:6-8)

(a) What Jesus teaches is obedience, not mere religion
(b) During this Easter Season, we consider Jesus’ model

Take Away

Offer sacrifice of obedience as a response to God’s blessings in your life