All four chapters today are really thought provoking; David’s emotional Psalm 40 captures the attention. It starts, “I waited patiently for the LORD” – and isn’t that what we are trying to do. But we cannot wait whilst standing still, as if to catch a bus.

David has many things to rejoice about because of the relationship he has established with God. “He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and (as a result) put their trust in the LORD” (verse 3). He says, “I have told the glad news of deliverance …” (verse 9). “I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation. I have not concealed …” (verse 10).

The faith David had in the reality of God’s involvement in his life and in the promised future was evident to those around him. He sets us a good example – let us be able to say, “I have not hidden your deliverance …”.

In Matthew 24 we read the message and warnings of Jesus to his disciples that “the gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all …” (verse 14). The disciples had the responsibility to start on this work, but Jesus warns, “many will come in my name … and they will lead many astray” (verse 15). And so it happened – and is still happening.

Let us be faithful to the original message of salvation and pay careful attention to what we read. We will possess the spirit of faithfulness by reading the Bible every day. We must be faithful to the true, the original, message and, equally important, the spirit we exhibit in our lives will reveal the character of Christ to others. Then with all our heart, we can say with David, “I have not hidden your deliverance …”.