Psalm 40:1-11
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Happy are those who make
the Lord their trust,
who do not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after false gods.
5 You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
none can compare with you.
Were I to proclaim and tell of them,
they would be more than can be counted.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7 Then I said, “Here I am;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me.
8 I delight to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”
9 I have told the glad news of deliverance
in the great congregation;
see, I have not restrained my lips,
as you know, O Lord.
10 I have not hidden your saving help within my heart;
I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
from the great congregation.
11 Do not, O Lord, withhold
your mercy from me;
let your steadfast love and your faithfulness
keep me safe forever.
6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear.
One of the ways I made money while I was in seminary was by teaching private piano lessons in a local studio. I had 30 students who each had a half-hour lesson each week. It was challenging work, and I loved every minute of it.
There is something unique and beautiful about the relationship between a student and a private instructor. I had already experienced this with my childhood piano teachers and my voice professors in college. When I moved into the role of teacher, it became clear to me that having someone’s full attention for half an hour a week can be a priceless gift. My beautiful students shared their deepest dreams and fears with me, sometimes weeping and sometimes rejoicing. When they mastered a difficult passage, my heart swelled with pride. Saying goodbye and commending them all to their new teacher was one of the hardest leave-takings of my life.
The Psalmist says: 6 Sacrifice and offering you do not desire, but you have given me an open ear. In perfect love, God gives us God’s full attention – not for half an hour a week, but every minute of every day. God doesn’t need anything from us. God simply takes delight in our company.
Prayer: Dearest Lord, like a child coming home, I rush in to tell you all my news. Thank you for listening to my hopes, dreams, and fears. Guide me to open my ear to those who need to be heard today. AMEN