Not Enough
Psalm 40: 1-17
Not long ago, I watched with awe as a pastor illustrated God listening to his children. He put a tiny toy person on the floor in front of him. And then he got on his knees and bent over the toy. He picked up the toy and stood. Then he said, “This is God listening to our weak cries and our whispers. And He reaches down and lifts us up.” When I feel like I’m not enough, I remember God is!
1 I waited a long time for the Eternal; He finally knelt down to hear me. He listened to my weak and whispered cry. 2 He reached down and drew me from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay. With a gentle hand, He pulled me out To set me down safely on a warm rock; He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again. 3 As if that were not enough, because of Him my mind is clearing up. Now I have a new song to sing—a song of praise to the One who saved me. Because of what He’s done, many people will see and come to trust in the Eternal.
How do I know God has heard me? Because I’m steady enough to continue my journey. My mind clears up, and I have joy in my heart. It bursts out in praise to God Eternal. I’m sure there are others who are filled with joy like me. Those who trust God Eternal alone. He has done wonderful things for me. His thoughts toward me are tender and loving.
4 Surely those who trust the Eternal—who don’t trust in proud, powerful people Or in people who care little for reality, chasing false gods—surely they are happy, as I have become. 5 You have done so many wonderful things, had so many tender thoughts toward us, Eternal my God, that go on and on, ever increasing. Who can compare with You?
Not Enough, But God Is
I am not enough. I don’t have enough time. I don’t have the energy. I am weighed down by the cares of life. But when I add God in and lean on Him, I am more than able to do His will. He opens my ears so I understand. It isn’t the hours I spend in devotions or prayer. It isn’t how many times I show up in church. God isn’t concerned about my sacrificial work. You want all of me. All of my hopes, dreams, and desires, I give them to You. And all of my worries, pain, and sorrow, I can trust You with those too. You are enough, God Eternal.
6 Sacrifices and offerings are not what You want,
but You’ve opened my ears, and now I understand.
Burnt offerings and sin offerings
are not what please You.
7 So I said, “See, I have come to do Your will,
as it is inscribed of me in the scroll.
8 I am pleased to live how You want, my God.
Your law is etched into my heart and my soul.”
I live like You want
Your law is etched on my heart and soul. I live to please You, my God. I encourage the people around me with Your message of righteousness and hope. And I boldly claim how loyal You are. Your love extends to the ends of the earth and the heavens. I love you, Eternal One.
9 I have encouraged Your people with the message of righteousness, in Your great assembly (look and see),
I haven’t kept quiet about these things; You know this, Eternal One. 10 I have not kept Your righteousness to myself, sealed up in the secret places of my heart; instead, I boldly tell others how You save and how loyal You are. I haven’t been shy to talk about Your love, nor have I been afraid to tell Your truth before the great assembly of Your people.
I tell others about Your love
Lord, show me Your kind ways. Your strong love and truth stand watch over me and keep me from harm. Sometimes I can’t see You working because I am surrounded by troubles. I am swimming in darkness. And I feel like my shortcomings have caught up to me. But I know You, my Lord God.
11 Please, Eternal One, don’t hold back Your kind ways from me. I need Your strong love and truth to stand watch over me and keep me from harm. 12 Right now I can’t see because I am surrounded by troubles; my sins and shortcomings have caught up to me, so I am swimming in darkness. Like the hairs on my head, there are too many to count, so my heart deserts me.
I need You, Rescue me
You are the One who rescues me. I need Your help. I beg You to hurry even though I know You are working for me. You always fight for me. You will never leave me. You guard my reputation and keep me from shame. I bow before You. I rest in Your arms of love.
13 O Eternal One, please rescue me. O Eternal One, hurry; I need Your help. 14 May those who are trying to destroy me be humiliated and ashamed instead; May those who want to ruin my reputation be cut off and embarrassed. 15 May those who try to catch me off guard, those who look at me and say, “Aha, we’ve trapped you,” be caught in their own shame instead.
You are my God
You are, indeed, my God. I discover true joy and happiness in You! I cherish and hold close to my heart how You saved me. You are the great Eternal One. May You always be first in my heart. I feel empty and need so much, Lord. But I know You are thinking of me. You are my help! Only You can save, My True God. I praise You God for Your immediate rescue!
16 But may all who look for You discover true joy and happiness in You; May those who cherish how You save them always say, “O Eternal One, You are great and are first in our hearts.” 17 Meanwhile, I am empty and need so much, but I know the Lord is thinking of me. You are my help; only You can save me, my True God. Please hurry.
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