March 25th, 2019

Psalm 40:1-5
This psalm of David describes the joy that comes from the realization of God’s blessings. It is the joy of one who looks at life’s circumstances, good and bad, and concludes, “I am blessed”! He sees that not only has he been delivered from some great distress, set upon a solid foundation, pointed in the right direction but whose only occasion to look back is in order to count the blessings of one so delivered. Looking back, not to recall the sorrows and disappointments, but only to see from whence you came and how far you have come by God’s grace…
You note that he writes that “He” (God) inclined to me…” This word describes the ‘act of stretching out towards something”. The context implies the extending of the heart towards the object of desire. The psalmist goes on saying, “and being so inclined… He heard my cry!”
Ps 116:1-2 reads ”I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” KJV
Do you know, do you understand, do you realize that God is inclined towards you…He wants to hear from you and is listening for you to call on His name?! The Psalmist (David) rejoices in the fact that when God heard him IN his distress, He also delivered him FROM…
God is in the Restoration business! When “whosoever” calls, He comes to “bring you out of” your present sinful condition and it’s penalty! It is His intent not only to save you from the penalty of sin, but to restore you as His child! He loves you too much to leave you where He found you!
 
Phil 1:6 reads “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” KJV. Having begun that good work IN you, He ‘sets your feet on the firm foundation” so that you may have secure footing – establishing your steps, guiding with His eye, leading with His Word and by His Spirit!
 
IS GOD’S NAME GLORIFIED BY THE PATHWAYS OF YOUR LIFE? ARE YOU FOLLOWING IN THE PATHS WHERE HE IS LEADING?
Ps 40:3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: KJV
This NEW song reflects the New Life in Christ…and becomes a TESTIMONY to the world around us!
DOES OUR SONG REFLECT THE WORLD AROUND US OR THE CHRIST WITHIN US?
 
He goes on here, only looking back to count his blessings! (vs 4-5)
…AND FINDS THAT THEY ARE TOO MANY TO COUNT!!!
 
The familiar hymn, COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS, was written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman, a Methodist minister from Lumberton, New Jersey. E.O. Excell of Stark County, Ohio, wrote the music. Take a few minutes and count your blessings, rather than your burdens.