When I read Psalm 40 and ponder my own experience of being in the dark and not seeing God clearly, here’s how I would personalize it as a lament (my Shadow Psalm 40):
I am weary of waiting for God’s help while I experience the heartache of anger, unfairness, and disappointment. Many things go the wrong way and many things feel unredeemable. I am not forthcoming with songs of praise and my trust in God is ebbing. There are circumstances in my life that rob me of security and blessing. I’m full of pride, thinking I know what is best and that God simply doesn’t. My focus is on things other than God’s wonders and plans. I forget the amazingness of God’s deeds with regularity. I act like God is all about keeping score of my good deeds or supposedly “selfless” acts. I forget God’s Word and don’t let what I know about God’s will inform my heart. I remain disbelieving about God’s faithfulness in my life. I don’t acknowledge His love in my life or mercy or protection. Health and other issues are multiplying and my own responses create a perpetual stance of heartbreak and dissatisfaction. I can’t detect God’s timely responses to my needs for rescue.
I dream of the removal of those who take part in what seems like a conspiracy against the life I want to have. I’m impatient for God to expose my enemies to their shame. I don’t seek after God when I should, and I don’t experience joy or gladness when I know God has come to my aid before. I ignore God’s greatness. I am poor – depleted of physical vitality, afraid of the effects of waning strength and mental acuity. I am needy – I’m wishing that my life had matched the picture I had in my mind for what a good life would be. I want God to clear all this up now, and I doubt He will concur with me, care about my anxious thoughts, or show up in my situations.
(My Psalm of Light – God’s Answers to the Shadow):
Proverbs 29:25-26 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.” Matthew 21:21-22 “And Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and thrown into the sea, it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.’ ” Psalm 31:23-24 “Love the Lord, all you His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!” Habakkuk 3:2 “O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 “If My people who are called by My Name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.” Isaiah 58:11-12 “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundation of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.” Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Isaiah 59:1 “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear.”
Light overcomes darkness.
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