Did you know that one-third of all the psalms in the Bible are laments? Many of David’s psalms contain both lament and praise—he vascillates between these emotions knowing that God is listening.

David was “a man after God’s own heart,” and reading through his life story, you might wonder “why” as I did.

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. (Psalm 40:1-2, NIV)

Deep in the muck, the mud and mire, still covered with the grime brought about by his sin, David calls to God and confesses. “I sinned again, God. I desire to do your will, but I mess up over and over and over again.”

He comes to God for forgiveness while he is still covered with the mud he was wallowing in. He waited in the slimy pit for God to lift him out by His grace and mercy. David knew he was totally dependent on God. And in this state, he looked to God for a change of perspective from: “I am not good enough” to “I remember all the victories you have brought into my life.”

That’s what an attitude of EBENEZER is: remembering all the times in life where God has been faithful and placed me on His firm foundation. Like David, I am remembering, celebrating, and praising God for His saving grace.

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. (Psalm 40:10, NIV)

God is good, all the time.