Conversion is not just a moment we remember — it is a miracle God performed.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.”
— Psalm 40:1–3
When I read this Psalm, I see myself. I can honestly say of Psalm 40, “I’ve been there, done that, and got the t-shirt.”David was a man who found himself in a pit — emotionally and spiritually low. He needed something, or Someone, bigger than himself to change his situation.
This passage has a primary application, a prophetic application, and a personal application. And when we consider the personal application, every saved person can see themselves here. David’s experience mirrors what happens when a sinner is converted. There are definite things that took place when we were saved.
A PRAYER IS ANSWERED
v.1 — “He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.”
David cried, and the Lord heard. That is exactly what happened at conversion. I saw myself as a sinner, realized I needed a Saviour, cried out to God for forgiveness, placed my faith in Christ, and was born again. Conversion begins when God hears the sinner’s cry. Salvation is never man finding God — it is God answering man.
A PIT IS AVOIDED
v.2 — “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit…”
David’s prayer did more than get God’s attention — it moved God to action. The moment God answered, David bid farewell to the pit. What a thought when we consider our own conversion. When we were saved, we avoided a pit — a pit of eternal fire. Because of Calvary, the believer can say with confidence, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit.”
A PEACE IS ACQUIRED
v.2 — “…and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.”
David moved from miry clay to solid ground, from sinking uncertainty to stable assurance. He went from instability to stability. There is no greater peace than the peace acquired when a person receives Christ as Saviour. The sinner’s life is restless and hard, but the believer knows the peace that passeth all understanding.
A PRAISE IS ADVERTISED
v.3 — “And he hath put a new song in my mouth…”
Before, David cried out in desperation — now he cries out in adoration. His life became a testimony. God put a new song in his mouth, and others took notice. When we were saved, we became new creatures. Old things passed away. We were given a new song, and our lives are meant to be a living advertisement that there is a God in Heaven — and He is mighty to save.
ILLUSTRATION
A man was walking down the road declaring, “It’s sure good to be saved! It’s so good to be saved!”
A passerby replied, “Yes, but I know something better than that.”
“What could be better than knowing you’re saved?” the man asked.
“Knowing the One who saved you.”
