GOD’S CARE AND PROTECTION IS CONTINUAL, JUST AS OUR
PRAISE SHOULD BE
Psalm
71:1-3
In
you, O LORD, do I take refuge;
let
me never be put to shame!
In
your righteousness deliver me and rescue me;
incline
your ear to me, and save me!
Be
to me a rock of refuge,
to
which I may continually come;
you
have given the command to save me,
for
you are my rock and my fortress.
The
writer of this psalm humbly approaches the LORD as his refuge and rescuer. His
reliance on God is not something new, but a way of life for him. He relies on
God’s promise to save him and will continue to come to Him for help.
Psalm
71:4-6
Rescue
me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from
the grasp of the unjust and cruel man.
For
You, O Lord, are my hope,
my
trust, O LORD, from my youth.
Upon
You I have leaned from before my birth;
You
are he who took me from my mother's womb.
My
praise is continually of You.
Difficulties
have accompanied him through his life. Unjust and cruel men are always around, but
since his youth, his trust has been in the power of the LORD. He knew that God had
been active in his life since conception.
What
a wonderful thought, to know that God is our protector and was even caring for
us before we were born. This amazing truth surely gives great assurance to all
expectant parents. There are no mistakes; there is not one birth that was not
part of God’s perfect plan. And as children grow up, through the many
challenges of life, God is still continually involved and overseeing their
care.
As
I think of broken families and difficult situations, it is so reassuring to
know that God is in control. We all probably
are aware of the heart-rending circumstances of children abandoned by their parents,
or of times when an ungodly influence is affecting children we love. What a
comfort it is, to know that as we pray, God has been and will be involved in
those lives.
And
as we grow older, it is also a great comfort to know that God continues to be
lovingly aware of the needs of those we love.
Psalm
71:7-11
I
have been as a portent to many,
but
you are my strong refuge.
My
mouth is filled with your praise,
and
with your glory all the day.
Do
not cast me off in the time of old age;
forsake
me not when my strength is spent.
For
my enemies speak concerning me;
those
who watch for my life consult together
and
say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue
and seize him,
for
there is none to deliver him.”
As
the writer continues to reflect on his life, he recognizes that, with the waning
of strength in old age, he will need God’s help even more. He knows that for
some, his difficulties are a sign that God has abandoned him; for others, his
refuge in God is an encouragement.
Psalm
71:12-16
O
God, be not far from me;
O
my God, make haste to help me!
May
my accusers be put to shame and consumed;
with
scorn and disgrace may they be covered
who
seek my hurt.
But
I will hope continually
and
will praise you yet more and more.
My
mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
of
your deeds of salvation all the day,
for
their number is past my knowledge.
With
the mighty deeds of the Lord GOD I will come;
I
will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.
His
hope continues to be in the Lord, his mouth will continue to be a testimony of
God’s care. The author realizes that he cannot even think of the number of
God’s works on his behalf throughout his life; all he knows is that he has received
more than enough blessings to fill his words with praise all day long.
What
a blessing it is to hear the lips of older people producing continuous proclamation
and praise for their God! And how wonderful it is, to know that God’s care of our
loved ones will continue as they begin to age.
Dear
friends, God inspired this psalm to give us a great sense of hope in Him from
birth to grave. His love and care are wonderful. Our mouths should be filled
with His praise. Our words should point those around us to the protective love
of our God.
As
you take time today to pray for those in need, may you rejoice in the providential
care of God.
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