4 Blessed is the one
Psalm 40: 4-5
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.
It is almost impossible to switch on the television without hearing more about the Coronavirus pandemic. The problem of course is that we are running out of things to say. That’s not to say we shouldn’t take seriously the message to wash our hands, stay at home and save lives. It is incredibly important to follow this advice.
When the pandemic first struck the news and opposition politicians were incredibly supportive of the government. As the weeks go by however, we are beginning to see how this is changing. More and more criticisms are being made about difficulties in supplying the correct protective equipment to the correct places and how businesses are or are not being supported in government bailouts.
While it is good, right and proper to hold the government to account in all these things I wonder have we lost sight of just how much has been done, how big a task is before our government? Have we lost sight of the many wonders they have already done and focus only on those areas where they are struggling to catch up? Please pray for our government in size of the task they now face.
David, in Psalm 40 is wondering the same thing about God. He is using this Psalm to force himself to focus not on what is happening, but on what God has done and what he has said he will do. Many are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. I wonder, do we realise just how much God has already done?
John Calvin said this about Psalm 40.
Too often we quake at every breeze that blows, or else we toil to fortify ourselves by our own strength. But in contemplating God’s counsels and providence, we should reverently admire what we cannot comprehend, and so rise above the anxieties of this world.
John Calvin Abridged by David C Searle (Psalm 40:5)
This Sunday will be Palm Sunday and the start of our Easter celebrations. In Jesus Christ God has already done all that could ever be done. He has offered forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love. This is ours. Through the resurrection we are also promised that today we only know a fraction of what this forgiveness, acceptance and unconditional love looks like, because when Jesus returns only then will we receive these in all their fullness.
Our calling is not to look to the failings of this life, but to what Christ has done and what he will yet do to bring us into that perfect new heaven and new earth, where every tear will be wiped away and there will be no more mourning or pain. (Rev 21:4)
Prayer Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have done for us and will yet do for us. Forgive us for focusing on what is happening around us instead of looking to you and all you have done for us. Help us to rejoice in the news that you have come that we might have abundant life. (John 10:10) Forgive us also for when we are to critical of others, especially our government. Help us to see and give