The Soul’s True Boast
Psalm 40
August 14, 2016
preached by Doug Cooper
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Time of Reflection Quotations
“Somehow we realize that great stories are told in conflict, but we are unwilling to embrace the potential greatness of the story we are actually in. We think God is unjust, rather than a master storyteller.”
~ Donald Miller (1971-present), American author and public speaker
“When one is a stranger to oneself then one is estranged from others, too. If one is out of touch with oneself, then one cannot touch others.”
~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1906-2001), American author, aviator
“I can only answer the question ‘What am I to do?’ if I can answer the prior question ‘Of what story or stories do I find myself a part?’”
~ Alasdair MacIntyre (1929-present), Scottish philosopher
“The shortest distance between a human being and the truth is a story.”
~ Anthony de Mello (1931-1987), Indian Jesuit priest, writer and public speaker
“The church is the primary arena in which we learn that glory does not consist in what we do for God but in what God does for us.”
~ Eugene H. Peterson (1932-present), American clergyman, scholar, and author
“Novels and stories are renderings of life; they can not only keep us company, but admonish us, point us in new directions, or give us courage to stay a given course.”
~ Robert Coles (1929-present), American author, child psychiatrist,
and professor emeritus
“Community is the fruit born through shared brokenness.”
~ Henri J.M. Nouwen (1932-1996), Dutch Catholic priest, professor,
writer and theologian
Sermon Passage
Psalm 40 (NIV)
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 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.
3 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.
4 Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.
5 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.
6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened—
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
10 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.
11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.
14 May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”
17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.