Psalm 40 (NLT)
4 Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord,
who have no confidence in the proud
or in those who worship idols.
Trust in God brings peace to the weary soul.
Here are some questions for discussion:
1. “Happiness” in Psalm 40:4 is not framed as protection from hardship, but as the outcome of rightly placed trust. How does this verse challenge the assumption that trusting God guarantees stable, explainable outcomes? What kind of freedom might exist in a blessing that is rooted in only orientation?
2. When we accept the duck in place of the ibis we inherently demonstrate a willingness to settle for less. How does attaching our faith to the images or idols presented to us each day lead us to settle for a lesser version of our God? How does a lesser version alter our expectations of God?
3. In what ways might moral certainty, doctrinal rigidity, or superiority become expressions of “the proud”? When might defending truth become indistinguishable from defending power?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
1. If your life was examined not by your words, but by your refusals—What you won’t participate in—what would they reveal about who you trust?
2. Psalm 40:4 speaks to a people rather than isolated individuals; how, then, is trust learned, tested, and embodied within communal life? In what ways do commitments to mutual accountability, consensus, and shared discipleship protect against misplaced trust, even when such faithfulness potentially leads to marginalization or loss?
3. What are your thoughts on why our churches made worship services in the modern American church feel like a pep rally?
4. When we rally behind the mascot we put forth a false image of what it means to be a real follower of Christ. How can we avoid being a fan following a mascot in place of being a faithful student of the teacher? What separates the casual fan from someone that truly follows and believes?
For further contemplation, consider these prompts:
1. How might our patience help us to avoid the momentary high of a “King Jesus the Conqueror” faith? How can that same patience directed at others help them to come back to trusting in God like the psalmist calls for?
2. Where do you find yourself “sitting” today? If it’s changed, how has that changed over the years? What about this place—this “chair”—makes you sure it can be trusted to be more than just something that looks like you could sit in it? Can you stand on it? Lay on it? or share the seat next to you equally confidently?