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Hear the devo: https://bit.ly/4qmLQc7
View devo: https://bit.ly/45VWwGv
1 I waited and waited and waited for God. At last he looked; finally he listened. 2 He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud. He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip. 3 He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God. More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God. 4 Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships; 5 The world's a huge stockpile of God-wonders and God-thoughts. Nothing and no one comes close to you! I start talking about you, telling what I know, and quickly run out of words. Neither numbers nor words account for you. 6 Doing something for you, bringing something to you - that's not what you're after. Being religious, acting pious - that's not what you're asking for. You've opened my ears so I can listen. 7 So I answered, "I'm coming. I read in your letter what you wrote about me, 8 And I'm coming to the party you're throwing for me." That's when God's Word entered my life, became part of my very being. 9 I've preached you to the whole congregation, I've kept back nothing, God - you know that. 10 I didn't keep the news of your ways a secret, didn't keep it to myself. I told it all, how dependable you are, how thorough. I didn't hold back pieces of love and truth For myself alone. I told it all, let the congregation know the whole story. 11 Now God, don't hold out on me, don't hold back your passion. Your love and truth are all that keeps me together. (Psalm 40:1-11 The Message Bible)
As we start this Thursday morning, dear Friend, please be in prayer for Cicely (Ann) Jackson of Smiley, Texas, who is getting knee replacement surgery in the city of New Bruanfels at 7 am; may God bless her with a successful surgery, a speedy and painless recovery and a great therapy allowing her full mobility and strength. God is with you, Ann!
Paul David Hewson is in a band. And he's been for most of his life. He's also Irish. And he also loves Jesus and identifies as a Christian. He has traveled the world with this band. This band has allowed him conversations with world leaders and famous personalities. Paul has lived a life of gratitude towards his God and his Savior. His famous band has only two characters in its name, a letter and a number and was named for the famous flying spy plane of the 60s. Some of you already know who I'm talking about, some don't. The number is 2, and the letter is U. Put in the right order; U2, and Paul's more recognized name is Bono. And this intro is because U2 always closes their concerts with a song called 40. It is based on this psalm and was so named because of the psalm and because it was at the end of the recording day; their bass guitarist had gone home and then their drummer decided to leave as well, and so knowing they needed only one more song needed for their album War, and so Bono opened a Bible and found this psalm and The Edge played a simple bass line to the words Bono had written based on the psalm. It took 10 minutes to write. 10 minutes to record. 10 minutes to edit, and 10 minutes to review it; thus another reason for its name, 40. The song lends itself to a spiritual, almost communal liturgical moment as the bass begins the song, Bono starts it, and one by one, the members of U2 leave the stage and the audience keeps singing as it participating in a closing prayer. Here are the lyrics as found online:(Hear it here: https://youtu.be/rt0TTa9R09k?si=O4HrI9VR3ykgYfTw)
I waited patiently for the Lord He inclined and heard my cry He lift me up out of the pit Out of the miry clay I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song How long to sing this song? How long must we sing this song? How long, how long, how long How long to sing this song? You set my feet upon a rock You made my footsteps firm Many will see, many will see and hear I will sing, sing a new song I will sing, sing a new song You sing it! How long to sing this song? How long to sing this song? How long, how long, how long How long to sing this song?
As used in the Church this coming Sunday as part of a celebration of Epiphany, the song celebrates God revealing Himself, looking upon us, listening to our cries—and Psalm 40 captures this perfectly. "I waited and waited and waited for God." The repetition emphasizes the length, the difficulty, the patience required. Waiting feels endless when you're stuck in the ditch, when you're sinking in deep mud, when every day looks the same and deliverance seems impossible. But then: "At last he looked; finally he listened." God's attention turns toward the one waiting. He sees. He hears. This is epiphany—God manifesting His presence to those who wait for Him. "He lifted me out of the ditch, pulled me from deep mud." God doesn't just observe from a distance; He reaches down, grabs hold, and pulls us out of places we can't escape on our own. "He stood me up on a solid rock to make sure I wouldn't slip." Not just rescued but established, not just pulled out but placed securely. The rock is Christ—the foundation that never shifts, the solid ground beneath our feet. "He taught me how to sing the latest God-song, a praise-song to our God." God doesn't just rescue us and leave us silent; He gives us a new song, fresh praise, a testimony to share. And when others see this transformation, "More and more people are seeing this: they enter the mystery, abandoning themselves to God." One person's deliverance becomes a witness that draws others to abandon themselves to God, to trust Him with their own ditches and deep mud. This is truly Light shining on us when we truly and deeply need it.
So dear friend, whatever may have you down, or worried, or anxious; turn it over to Jesus! Jesus will know you, how much pain you've been in, how long you have been waiting; and will lift you up out of the "mud" you've been in, into the beauty and fullness of this life that is knowing and trusting Him!
PRAYER: Loving God who lifts us from ditches and stands us on solid rock, thank You for looking upon us, listening to our cries, and teaching us new songs of praise; thank You for sending Jesus who delighted in doing Your will and preached Your righteousness to the whole world; help us testify to what You've done, drawing others into the mystery of abandoning themselves to You, knowing that Your love and truth are all that keep us together, in Jesus' name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: Share your testimony with someone—tell them about a specific "ditch" or "deep mud" God lifted you from, and how He gave you a new song, inviting them to abandon themselves to the God who looks, listens, and rescues.
I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me! Bless the Lord with your life and words!
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
