READ Psalm 40:11–17. 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD; may your love and faithfulness always protect me. 12 For troubles without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails within me. 13 Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me. 14 May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace. 15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!” be appalled at their own shame. 16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your saving help always say, “The LORD is great!” 17 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.
PRAYING FOR GLORY. The first part of Psalm 40 is a great thanksgiving for God’s help, together with powerful testimony about the changes of character that patient waiting brings. Verses 11–17 show, however, that situations that require waiting on God will always return, sometimes with startling suddenness. David is back under pressure, but this time he has a deeper sense of God’s unmerited grace (verses 16–17). The final verses also give us an abiding spiritual principle. “To compare what I am [verse 17] with what You are [verse 17] is a steadying thing; but to pray for God’s glory [The LORD be exalted, verse 16] is a liberation, the way of victory, and, as John 12:27f. shows, the way of Christ himself.”37
Prayer: Lord, praying for your glory is indeed the way of liberation. If I pray, “Glorify yourself in my needs,” that frees me to receive whatever you send as your wise will. For I know that your glory includes your love. In my life, Lord, be glorified. Amen.