Scripture:  Psalm 40:1-17  (NIV)

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 
and put their trust in the LORD. 

Blessed is the man 
who makes the LORD his trust, 
who does not look to the proud, 
to those who turn aside to false gods.

Many, O LORD my God, 
are the wonders you have done. 
The things you planned for us 
no one can recount to you; 
were I to speak and tell of them, 
they would be too many to declare. 

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, 
but my ears you have pierced; 
burnt offerings and sin offerings 
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, O my God; 
your law is within my heart." 

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; 
I do not seal my lips, 
as you know, O LORD. 

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; 
I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. 
I do not conceal your love and your truth 
from the great assembly. 

Do not withhold your mercy from me, O LORD; 
may your love and your truth 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, O LORD, to save me; 
O LORD, come quickly to help me. 

May all who seek 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 love your salvation always say, 
"The LORD be exalted!" 

Yet I am poor and needy; 
may the Lord think of me. 
You are my help and my deliverer; 
O my God, do not delay.

comment:  friends of the lord, this is not a complaint, nor is it whining.  but this personal journey, or sojourn, has lasted a very long time, relative to the human eGo.  but all has been needed, for the assigned task, from his throne room.  can not imagine, how far god's love has brought me, from the pathetic heap of ruin, that i was, in the winter of 1981, compared to what sits here today, in the winter of 2008.

it is imperative to live one day at a time.  it has also been very necessary to have a support group, of abstinence, and anonymous recovery, with their true friendship, mutual respect, and altruistic love.  without same, it could not have been accomplished.

god's time has no respect for human emotion.  eternal life is all that god is ever focused on, period.

Prayer:  father god, thank you for your all knowing, all blessings, all love, and all power, to achieve the desired results - your spiritual fulfillment, for all souls, that you call to higher purpose.