Testimonials

She was telling us this as we were taking a video of her, and I felt some tears welling up. She started talking about how the tree climb was really hard and scary for her. It seemed so difficult, but there were leaders around her encouraging her and then she was reminded of the rest of the beginning verses of Psalm 40 – “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” She said that she was reminded that even on her darkest night, the Lord was lifting her. He was telling her to hold on – that there is hope. She said that during this week at camp, she placed renewed hope in the Lord. Her group studied the rest of Psalm 40. And she says that while she knows that she has struggled in the past, God was with her through it all.

Wow! I was most definitely tearing up at this point. I know the days for us staff are long and hard sometimes. And that it’s easy to lose focus on what we are doing. With as many campers as we have, there are always many prayer needs flowing through our camps and our personal lives. Sometimes it’s easy to lose focus or become discouraged by the weight of them all. But hold fast, know that your work matters to the Kingdom. It brings people to camp, like the camper above, so that they can come to know the hope of Christ and experience life-change and know what authentic relationships are.

So I will leave you with the full text of Psalm 40 with hopes that we will put our full trust in the Lord and speak of his mighty deeds, faithfulness, and saving grace. He is worthy to be praised!

I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.

Blessed is the one
who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
but my ears you have opened[c]—
burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
it is written about me in the scroll.
I desire to do your will, my God;
your law is within my heart.”

I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
I do not seal my lips, Lord,
as you know.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.

Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased to save me, Lord;
come quickly, Lord, to help me.

May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
But may all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The Lord is great!”

But as for me, I am poor and needy;
may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
you are my God, do not delay.

Psalm 40