God’s Power to Keep Going

In review of Psalm 40:17 it says, "As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay." (NLT)

Today’s verse comes from Psalm 40 where David explains how doing God's will sometimes means waiting patiently. In the meantime, while I wait, I can love God, serve others, and tell others about him.

David hopes that all who may search for God be filled with joy and gladness like he was. May those who love God’s salvation (including myself) repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!" As for me, since I am poor and needy, I ask that the Lord keep me in his thoughts. For God is my helper and my savior. So God, do not delay.

However, waiting for God to help is not easy, but what I learn from David in Psalm 40 is that he received four benefits from waiting: (1) God lifted him out of his despair, (2) God set his feet on solid ground, (3) God steadied him as he walked, and (4) God put a new song of praise in his mouth. Often blessings cannot be received unless I go through the trial of waiting.

When I think of faithfulness, a friend or a spouse may come to mind. Friends who are faithful to me, accept and love me, even when I am difficult to love. Faithful people keep their promises, whether promises of support or promises made in marriage vows. God's faithfulness is like human faithfulness, only perfect. His love is absolute, and his promises are irrevocable. He loves me in spite of my constant bent toward sin, and he keeps all the promises he had made to me, even when I break my promises to him.

The Bible tells us that God always finishes what he starts: “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished” (Philippians 1:6 NLT). It doesn’t say, “God might finish it.” It doesn’t say, “God hopes to finish it.” It says God will finish it. What does that mean? It means if I have really given my life to Jesus Christ, if you’ve opened myself up to God and said, “Christ, be number one in my life” I’m going to make it to heaven. There’s no doubt about it. Case closed. Done deal. I am going to make it across the finish line because it doesn’t depend upon my performance; it depends upon God’s sustaining grace. The only question is how I finish the race. Some people finish a race poorly while others finish a race well. I shouldn’t just get into heaven. I shouldn’t just get across the finish line. I should finish the race of life well. I should enjoy life, the abundant life, to figure out what God made me for and then do it. How can I be sure I’m going to finish the race of life? Because of God’s sustaining grace. God doesn’t want to just save me. He wants to sustain me through life. He wants me to make it.

Sustaining grace is the power to keep on going when I feel like giving up. It’s the power to do the right thing when I don’t feel like doing the right thing. There are many pitfalls in the marathon race of life. But regardless of what I go through, no matter what I face this year, I can count on God’s sustaining grace. “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace” (1 Peter 5:12 NLT).

Bottom Line:

I’m in need, Lord keep me in your thoughts. You are my help and salvation. Come quickly into my life.

What this means to me:

I am a mess and in much need, I know that the Lord keeps me in his thoughts, for he is my help, my savior. God I need your help more often than I admit or even realize.

In summary, doing God's will often means that I need to wait patiently. While I wait, I can still love God, serve others and tell others about Him. Therefore, may I repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!" I need to admit my need for him and ask Him continuously for His help. I need to keep in mind the benefits from waiting; for he will lift me out of my despair, set me on a solid foundation, steady my walk and put a song of praise on my lips. Often blessings require that I go through trials of waiting. I can be assured that God will always finish what He starts. So It's not a matter of finishing, it's more a matter of finishing well. I can count on God's sustaining grace which is the power for me to keep on going when I feel like giving up. It helps me with the power to do the right thing when I don't feel like doing the right thing. Regardless of what I might go through, I can count on God's sustaining grace.

This morning I thank you Father for calling me to be part of your eternal family. Thank you for paying my penalty and constantly offering me grace and forgiveness. I thank you for how you have provided for me opportunities to build my faith and reliance upon you. I pray today for your continued guidance in handling the worklist ahead of my and my team. I ask for you help in sorting through and responding to needs and for the ability to efficiently communicate to the team the priorities. Give me wisdom and correct thought as I work through the performance evaluations. Help me to be faithful in the little things. Help me respond correctly and in a loving manner to those I encounter and work with today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!