We used Psalm 40 as the starting point for our church Leadership meeting recently.  Since we are experiencing “transition” in staffing, denomination, and other areas, this Psalm was a good choice.  As the ESV study bible says, “This psalm contains two parts:  first, it gives thanks for the many past mercies received from God, and then it presents a fresh instance of need for God’s help.”

We first read the psalm, each person taking a verse in turn.  We answered two questions:  In what ways had God helped the psalmist in the past?  What ways has God helped our church in the last three years?  Then we looked at our agenda to see ways we need His help with the latest issues.

The first question was quickly covered, and the second one brought forth a long stream of major and minor ways God had been at work in our midst. It was a great time of fellowship and led easily into prayer for the agenda and the transition issues facing us.  It was very natural to give thanks and ask for God’s continued blessings in the future. Those guys who wrote the psalms sure knew a thing or two!