A Fresh Start

Psalm 40:2

​He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay,

And set my feet upon a rock and established my steps.

Author's note: The following meditations are drawn from the heart of David's prayers in the Psalms. They have been gently paraphrased to help you reflect more deeply on God's Word and His unchanging character.

The wait felt endless, Father, and I questioned if my whimpering cries would ever reach Your ears again. It was as if time itself had reversed. But then, to my deep relief, You leaned in, the truest friend, showing Your divine concern.

You brought me back to life from the grave of my own choices and placed me on a solid foundation. You blessed me with a new genesis, guiding my steps back to Your divine purpose. With Your presence lighting the way, my journey becomes effortless.

There are new songs to accompany me on my journey, Abba. These are the very songs Your angels sing each morning—melodies that lift a weary heart and inspire a renewed love for You, Lord. Many who hear them praise the Composer for their sheer beauty.

The one who places his trust in the Creator of the universe will stand approved by Him. He refuses to swerve, unbent by the forces of deceit. His faith anchors him to his source, his very reason for existence. He will endure.

Count the grains of sand by the ocean, multiply them by the number of stars in heaven, and then set the exponent to the drops of water in the sea. That sum falls far short of the moments You had Your mind on us. We were never out of Your thoughts, O Lord our God.

We offer You manufactured gifts, though You hold the stars like so many coins in Your pocket. We live life as an homage to the One who created it. Yet, Father, You only truly desire our love and obedience. The rest is mere decoration and will hold no consequence in eternity.

You have honored me, Lord, with a small appearance in a supporting role in Your great saga.

My character was a dim reflection of a hero to come in Your story.

There is nothing that I would rather do than Your will, Abba. At its center, I have come to rest on my purpose. No greater joy has ever been felt. You have heard my praises sung of You, Lord. I carry Your song as my anthem to Your glory. When the world listens, they will indeed have evidence of my worship of You. There can be no doubt!

It is impossible to deny the boundless love that You show me, Father. No one can misinterpret the presence You hold in my heart. Your kindness and truth are evident to all with an open eye. To an open heart, your deliverance is as valuable and brilliant as precious crystals.

My need of You, Lord, will never leave me. My desire for Your love is rekindled with each breath. I need your mercy and grace daily, Father. Please don’t withhold Your protection from me. Don’t remove Your shield and buckler. My vulnerability would be pitiable.

It’s difficult to imagine where I’d be if I weren’t under Your protection, Abba. That place wouldn’t deserve coordinates. Someone should set up a permanent barricade around it! You are happy to show me Your grace whenever I need rescuing, Father. I am delighted to receive it, but please don’t take too long.

Confuse my enemies, Lord. Don’t let them see my weakness if separated from Your might. Set them back on their heels. Make them an embarrassment to each other. Force their evil to come back and bite them.

Let all who have ears hear the mighty works of the Lord God Jehovah. Hear the testimony of the saved. Listen to their stories and marvel at their God. Let all who have sight see their reflection in Your eyes, Father. Let them feel Your mercy on their lives. All praise to You, Abba. Glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Hallelujah!

But who am I, Lord, that You would descend to my level and wrap me in Your love? How can it be, Lord, that You, in Your greatness, would stoop to my lowliness and enfold me in Your love? What did I ever do to deserve a fresh start?