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. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Sacrifice and offering you did not desire— but my ears you have opened— burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly; I do not seal my lips, Lord, as you know. I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly. Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord; may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

‭‭Throughout my life, I find I keep coming back to this Psalm of David. It speaks to me on a different level than many of the others. Maybe it is because I can hear his passion in this psalm. Or it could be because I feel like I end up in the “mud and mire” of life at times. Speaking of the “mud and mire”, I used to think this was always my sin and the ways I blow it. But now God is showing me it can also be the entrapment and sinfulness of this world, its evil devices, and its wickedness. Oppression, deceit, and toxic relationships are real. And God understands that we must wade through these murky waters, at times, in this life.

Today, I rest on the truths presented here: 1) God has set my feet on a rock (Jesus Christ), 2) He has placed a new song of joy in my mouth, in the midst of the pressure and stress of this world and its sinfulness, and 3) Many will come to put their faith in him.

Lord, all of my “righteous acts”, like sacrifices and burnt offerings, are worthless to you — if done from a heart of sin. Open my ears so I can hear and respond to your truth. May you heal my heart from the inside out! Then I can act right out of a heart surrendered to your will and your ways!