Are you in a helpless pit? Cry aloud to God and wait for Him

Sermon: Are you in a helpless pit? Cry aloud to God and wait for Him
Bible Reading: Psalm 40:1-10

1. The psalmist was in a messy-situation for a significant period of time

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

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; vs. Jeremiah 29:11)

5. The psalmist responds to God in two ways

(a) Renewed dedication to God (vv. 7-10)
(a1) Dedication to God is to know what pleases Him (verse 7)
(a2) The heart of God is not one’s religious rituals or the routine work
(a3) Obedience is the real sacrifice and response to God’s goodness
(a4) Jesus is the model for obedience (Hebrews 10:5-7) [this is a messianic psalm]
(b) Commitment to share his testimony to others

Takeaway

(a) Those who are in slimy pit—do not give up, but continue to wait on God
(b) Those who just came out from the pit—share your testimony to others