God promises a safe landing but not a calm passage. (Anonymous)
I read the quote and the thought quickly went through my mind, “But at times I would so much rather a calm passage AND a safe landing.” And truly, don’t we all?
As I have thought about this for a few days, I remembered how our children started learning to walk. They wobbled and fell. Then they would take a step, wobble and fall. The next time, it was a few steps, wobble and fall. And then they began to get steady. But it was as they took steps, the steadiness developed.
Perhaps steadiness comes to us in our adult lives much the same way.
The psalmist, David, writes of a difficult time in his life. He does not record for us what he was facing just that it was a painful time for his soul. It during this time, he wrote Psalm 40, from which we can learn several lessons:
- We pray and wait. David prayed to his God and waited patiently for the Lord to help him (Psalm 40:1). But here’s the thing…it does not mean waiting to see IF something would happen. It means instead, waiting with assurance that something WOULD happen. David waited with expectation, trusting God would help, having faith in God.
- As we wait, God responds. God came to David’s rescue, lifting him out of the situation he found himself (Psalm 40:2).
- God puts us on solid ground. God rescued David from a situation David could not have escaped on his own.
David had gone through many difficulties in his life – personal sin, adultery, murder, family dysfunction, emotional distress, the loss of a child. Any of these situations could have been the reason he wrote this psalm. Through each situation, David was reminded of God’s mercy toward him.
At times, situations cause us to freeze, to be immobilized. Not knowing what to do or where to go, we do nothing at all. Yet it is as we pray, with expectation, we find God unfolds His directions and guides us. Interestingly, David shared this insight:
He “steadied me as I walked along.”
Much like a baby, our walk gets steadier as we keep on walking with Him.
 Today I am sharing with … Imperfect Prose and Wed. Prayer Girls and Wordless Wed. and Wedded Wed. and Works For Me and Winsome Wed. and Whimsical Wed. and Words of Life Wed. and Thankful Thurs. and Coffee for Your Heart .
I can’t tell you how this touched my heart today. Thank you. I needed this. That ‘if/when’ thing…exactly what I needed from God. Thank you again.
So glad the post resonated with you, Kate. Hope you are having a great day!
Hi Joanne,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful insights on Psalm 40. The Lord spoke to me through your post, especially your point “not IF … but WOULD…” Love that. Also, I’m encouraged by your reminder to pray with expectation. God is always working even when we can’t see what He’s doing. Thanks again & blessings to you in Christ!
I am finding myself so grateful He is at work even when we are unaware. May He keep our steps steady. Thank you for sharing with me, Emily!
This was such an encouraging post! You are so right, it’s not “if” God will respond and help but it’s knowing that He will and having faith in that.
Grateful you found encouragement. May we trust Him & His response always. Have a great Thursday!
only with practice, step by step
even on the water, if He calls us
thank you for this today, as my steps tremble
So grateful for your words here. Trusting that even as our steps may tremble, He is keeping each of us!1 Blessings to you today! Thank you for the blessing of your words!
I reflect on this ~~> “our walk gets steadier as we keep on walking with Him.” and realize how true that is. And it reminds me how grateful I am I no longer try to do this walk of life alone. Beautiful post, Joanne. Much love.
Right there with you, Beth. I am so grateful we do not need to walk this life alone. He is with us – every. single. step!
I’m so thankful for the mercy of God that never ends. Thank you for this: “our walk gets steadier as we keep on walking with Him.”
Loved reading your comment, Rebekah. As I read it, this thought went through my head – may we be we steadier today than we were yesterday! Blessings!