Passage: Psalm 71
The Big Idea
Psalm 71 is the prayer of someone looking back over a lifetime with God and forward to old age. “You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.” Enemies say God has forsaken him, but he knows better. The God who held him from birth won’t let go when his strength fails. I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more.
Reflections
In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame (v. 1). Sometimes I feel foolish waiting on You. The enemy mocks and says You won’t answer. But faith is only as good as its object, and You never fail. My faith is rightly placed in You. Teach me to silence the enemy’s voice with still, quiet faith.
Deliver me in Your righteousness (v. 2). It’s Your character I trust: You show mercy and grace because You’re righteous, and You’ve freely given me righteousness too. You could ask me to suffer, and I’d still be Your servant. But I’ll cry out to You as my Father, because I know Your compassion.
Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me (v. 3). You’ve ordered my salvation. I believe it. Bring those I love into Your fortress, too. Sometimes I run in rebellion, and You welcome me home without a word. I’m not like You. Show me how to lead my family, love like You, and rest in Your strength.
Deliver me… out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man (v. 4). I bring my problems to You instead of fixing them myself. I let go and let God.
For You are my hope, O Lord God (v. 5). You’re my only hope. Like the lame man at the temple gate, I have nothing, and I need nothing but the power of Your name.
By You I have been upheld from birth (v. 6). You took care of me when I was helpless. My life has been full of rebellion, yet You’ve never left me or forsaken me. Do the same for the next generation. Choose them in Your love, for Your name’s sake.
I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge (v. 7). People wonder why I trust You. But You answer my prayers, forgive me, restore me and give me rest.
Let my mouth be filled with Your praise (v. 8). This is the right response to Your faithfulness, the desire of my heart, and my job: to praise You all day.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength fails (v. 9). What strength? I need You more every day. My insides feel worn thin, like butter scraped over too much bread.
For my enemies speak against me, saying, “God has forsaken him” (vv. 10-11). I won’t worry about them. I give it all to You. Show the world Your power and love through the circumstances of my life.
O God, do not be far from me (v. 12). Your presence is my help. Let me be full of joy while I wait. Let the joy of the Lord be my strength.
But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more (v. 14). Hope and praise, continual and growing, like a vine. I abide.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only (v. 16). I’m weak and You’re strong. If I move, it has to be in Your strength and will. You animate me like a hand in a glove. Boasting is excluded because of what You did on the cross and what I didn’t do. I sin and You forgive. I lose and You win.
O God, You have taught me from my youth (v. 17). You started teaching me Your ways when I was young. Do the same for the next generation. Silence the distracting lies, and let them know You.
Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation (v. 18). Life is going so fast. Be just as near to me in communion as You’ve ever been. My mission is to declare Your power and strength, through a weak vessel, through humility and faith.
Your righteousness, O God, is very high… O God, who is like You? (v. 19). I need time each day to consider Your goodness. You’re perfect and right in everything, higher than my imagination can reach. Spirit, reveal His glory to me.
You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again (v. 20). I’m learning to walk with You even when I don’t feel like it. You take me through the deaths, and You bring me resurrection life.
You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side (v. 21). All I have and need comes from You.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing to You, and my soul, which You have redeemed (vv. 22-24). Lips and soul, true and real. Not just something invisible, but a real effect on the whole life You’ve redeemed. You’re the hand in my glove.
Grace Takeaway
The God who held you from birth will not let go when your strength fails. Go in His strength, make mention of His righteousness alone, and keep hoping, and praising Him more and more, all the way home.
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