Have you ever noticed that sometimes even when you want to do the right things you slip up?  No one means to break a diet two days in to it.  People don’t pay for gym memberships that they don’t use on purpose.  I recently read that 48% of the Peloton bicycles sold never get used after 1 month.  Fitness is not the only area where we fall short.  Often we fall short in our spiritual goals as well.  David failed many times but the one thing he did well was to keep proclaiming the goodness of God.  Let’s look at his words together in Psalm 40. 

Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.

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.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. 

Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.

I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.

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.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

We will all fall short at times, but when we do how do we respond?  Will we just stop or will we press on?  David’s example reminds us that our failures don’t define us God does.  God calls us beloved, His children.  He longs for us to follow Him well yet even when we fall short His love never changes.  So next time you fail, pick yourself up and get back on that bike!  Following God with our lives is not a sprint it’s a journey through life. 

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave