On this Second Sunday after the Epiphany, we look at various Testimonies. In the Old Testament reading we hear Isaiah testify that God “Called me before I was born” (Isaiah 49:1-7). The Epistle to the Corinthians says that Christ’s testimony has been strengthened so “you are not lacking any spiritual gift” (I Corinthians 1:1-9). Finally, in the Gospel, we hear John the Baptist say, “I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God” (John 1:29-42).
The word ‘testimony’ is from the root word testi,
meaning a witness who testifies in court. That is still the main meaning
according to Merriam Webster: “a solemn declaration usually made orally by a
witness under oath in response to interrogation by a lawyer or authorized
public official.” Of course, in religious usage, testimony usually means “a
public profession of religious experience.” For the Jews, it is also the
tablets given to Moses and ark containing them.
Our Psalm this week is the first 12 verses of Psalm 40. In
the King James Version, the same message is in the first 11 verses. As you
compare the two, you will see that there are slightly different verse breaks. However,
the message is the same. It is a testimony of the Psalmist to the great
grace, love, and protection of God.
The Psalmist says, “I waited patiently for the Lord…he lifted me…put a new song in my mouth.” The Psalm goes on to extol the “great things…wonders…and plans for us.” The Psalmist desires to “make them known…[because] I love to do your will.” Indeed, the Psalmist claims to have “spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance…[and] your love and faithfulness.” This portion of Psalm 40 ends with a prayer to “let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever.”
I wonder how many of us could
use this Psalm as our own personal testimony to God’s deeds in our life.
Certainly, there have been times when I feel like I have been “lifted out of a
pit.” That may be a time when God provided just the material things needed at a
specific time, or when God comforted my heart in grief. There have been times when I spoke up joyfully about God's work in my life, too.
The other readings for this week
are responses and testimonies by Isaiah, Paul, and John the Baptist, who with
the Psalmist could say “I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in
my heart.” May that also be our response to the great things God does for us
every day.
You may want to make this your
prayer for the week, and really think about when God has shown love and
faithfulness to you each day and throughout your life. What is your Testimony
to the work of God in your life?
Psalm 40:1-12
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1 I
waited patiently upon the Lord; he stooped to me and heard my cry. 2 He
lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet
upon a high cliff and made my footing sure. 3 He
put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see, and
stand in awe, and put their trust in the Lord. 4 Happy
are they who trust in the Lord! they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to
false gods. 5 Great
things are they that you have done, O Lord my God! how great your wonders and
your plans for us! there is none who can be compared with you. 6 Oh,
that I could make them known and tell them! but they are more than I can
count. 7 In
sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure (you have given me ears to hear
you); 8 Burnt-offering
and sin-offering you have not required, and so I said, “Behold, I come. 10 I
proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I did not
restrain my lips; and that, O Lord, you know. 11 Your
righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness
and your deliverance; I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from
the great congregation. 12 You
are the Lord; do not withhold your compassion from me; let your love and your
faithfulness keep me safe for ever, |
1I waited
patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. 2He brought
me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon
a rock, and established my goings. 3And he
hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it,
and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. 4Blessed is
that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor
such as turn aside to lies. 5Many, O Lord
my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which
are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would
declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. 6Sacrifice
and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt
offering and sin offering hast thou not required. 7Then said
I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8I delight
to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9I have
preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my
lips, O Lord, thou knowest. 10I have
not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness
and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from
the great congregation. |
