This morning I spent some time reading Psalm 40. I thought of us all when I read these lines:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
I thought of us because on Sunday evening, my husband led a workshop at a church Sent and Six Conversations retreat on how to tell the stories of God working in our lives. He challenged us to remember a time when God matured us or met us in a time of need. What was the theme of that time? What Bible verse did God use in that season of our lives? At our table, many people shared about the time they felt “out-of-control and afraid” and how God matured them to understand His sovereignty. I felt so encouraged by the very short but very powerful stories, in simple conversation around a table, of God’s truth and loving presence.
If you read Psalm 40, you’ll see David’s own story. I thought of us and how I’m so curious about the times we waited patiently for God and He then met us; about how He lifted us out of a dark situation; about how He set us in a secure place; about how He gave us a “new song.”
When you tell these stories and put them on display for a watching world, there’s a promise: Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
We desperately need your stories. When and how did God teach you patience? When and how did He deliver you? When and how did you find security? When and how did He teach you a way to praise and worship Him?
Teach us! Show us! Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him because of your story.