Psalm 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. 2 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. 3 He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

In these verses David wrote there is no indication of anything externally taking place. For whatever reason he feels as though he has sunk to the depths of despair. David knows to call upon God in his time of need. And once he does God comes and comforts him and steadies him in his faith. David knows others will be surprised at David’s new joyfulness and they will come to also put their trust in God.

Sometimes in our distress we want things fixed now. We want whatever is troubling us to go away right then and there. Yet David learned he had to be patient. God was using the troubles David had brought upon himself as a reminder of his dependence on God. And by David placing his trust in God, the Lord was able to take David from the sinking ground he was standing on to a sturdy and firm foundation. There is a hymn that says, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” The choice is ours to either stand on a firm foundation by trusting patiently in Christ. Or we can sink to depths of despair trying to rely on ourselves. Where do you stand today? Are you on a solid foundation? Pray God will move you from the places in life where you are sinking to a place solid and firm. Pray your troubles will turn to joy as God sees you through each and every one.