WHEE!

I’m up. 

 I’m down. 

I’m all around.

Five months ago, a silent and uninvited enemy––Coronavirus–– crashed into our lives. There are no footprints to follow. The ever-changing news about situations in our families, churches, schools and neighborhoods has caused some of us to slip in and out of despair. A ‘roller coaster ride’ is a good description of how many of us feel now. Even the strongest of the strong sense the ups and downs. 

Thankfully, friends, King David was not embarrassed to write about his real emotions in Psalm 40. 

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. 

Psalm 40:1-3

Notice the narrative begins and ends with David waiting on God’s rescue as he artfully wrote about two different cycles of despair, fear and deliverance. He is down–– then up–– then down again, as he struggles to find peace.

Sound familiar? Yes, the roller coaster ride.

Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; 

O LORD, come quickly to help me. (v. 13) 

 Yet I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me. 

You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay. (v. 17)

Clearly, this wonderfully written prose describes how frail we are as human beings. We need help! We must realize, through David’s example, that our God lovingly waits for us. 

O LORD, hear our cries for help. We ask that you come quickly to lift us up, put a new song of praise in our mouth, and place our feet on solid ground. 

Jill Hendrix