Intro: During this Lenten season, every devotional will begin with a quote from C.S. Lewis (author and theologian), followed by two readings: 1) A passage from the Psalter and 2) a writing from one of the Old Testament prophets or New Testament authors. We will look at both passages as a whole through the fulfilling work and wisdom of Christ—Truth.
When you and I are waiting on God to rescue us from the challenges of life and the work of evil, let’s invite Christ to sustain and reward us, during the wait, in any way fit for his purpose.
“Once the feet are put right, all the rest of him will follow.”
(C.S. Lewis; The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe)
In the Psalter, salvation is viewed and presented as God reaching down to rescue his chosen people from an evil world; therefore, in the Book of Psalms salvation does not include the wicked who have no fear of the Lord. Salvation rescues the faithful, judges sinners, and renews God’s rule of righteousness.
In our passage today, David waits patiently for God to rescue him; therefore, David’s faithfulness is rewarded: 1) God raises David out of despair and fills him with hope [joy of Christ]; 2) God sets David’s feet on a solid foundation while he waits [Christ our Cornerstone]; 3) God brings peace and clarity to David’s mind [mind of Christ], and 4) God fills David’s mouth with praise [witness to Christ].
Psalm 40:1-5 NLT (VOICE) A Psalm of David
1
I waited a long time for the Eternal;
He finally knelt down to hear me.
He listened to my weak and whispered cry.
2
He reached down and drew me
from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay.
With a gentle hand, He pulled me out
To set me down safely on a warm rock;
He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again.
3
As if that were not enough,
because of Him my mind is clearing up.
Now I have a new song to sing—
a song of praise to the One who saved me.
Because of what He’s done, many people will see
and come to trust in the Eternal.
4
Surely those who trust the Eternal—
who don’t trust in proud, powerful people
Or in people who care little for reality, chasing false gods—
surely they are happy, as I have become.
5
You have done so many wonderful things,
had so many tender thoughts toward us, Eternal my God,
that go on and on, ever increasing.
Who can compare with You?
All of these rewards given to David foreshadow the Gift of salvation for the world found in Christ. In our passage today, Paul reminds us Christ—the Anointed One—and love for him must be the controlling force in the lives of believers. That means we seek to see things from Christ’s perspective and obey his instructions because we long for the genuine spiritual Life he alone can give.
Christ revives every repentant heart and restores us to our proper image. Transformation and change are essential to the joy of our salvation; so, the Anointed One speaks Life into our stoney hearts and obedience into our worldly perspectives. Christ’s love places our feet on the righteous path and pointed in the right direction for relationship with the Father.
II Corinthians 5:14-15 NLT
14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us [urges us on]. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life [Since one died for all, then all died]. 15 He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
Prayer: Father, thank you for the salvation you offer, the choices you provide, and the rewards you bring to the faithful. You are so good! In Jesus’ name. Amen.