What do we do when we need rescue? We bounce back and forth between feelings of confident joy as saved people, and treacherous despair when darkness surrounds us. By showing us what it means to live as saved people and as people who need saving, Psalm 40 teaches us how to live our life as people who are continuously being saved by God.

Application Questions

1. How often do you retell the story of your salvation, to yourself and to others? How does David's recollection of his deliverance shape the way that you think of your own?
2. In what ways does David's response to his salvation, both inwardly and outwardly, inform and correct the way you have responded to your own salvation?
3. How is your response to times of distress similar or different from David's response in Psalm 40? How does David's response change the way you think about your own?
4. In what ways have you tried to help another person, for better or worse, complete the distress/salvation cycle modeled in Psalm 40? How have others tried to do the same for you in the past? In what ways does Psalm 40 show you how you can improve your efforts in the future?

We often think of confession as something to be either avoided or endured. We don't want to think of ourselves as being “that bad.” But when we confess our sins to God, we acknowledge the truth of our imperfection and the holiness of God. In doing so, it draws us deeper into Him and frees us to live more authentic lives.

Application Questions

1. What comes to mind when you hear the word“confession” ? How do you react to the idea of having to do it?
2. Do you have an accurate picture of the holiness of God and depths of your sin?
3. How can you use eager and joyful confession as you remember the gospel to draw nearer to God?