Life Story
Opening Prayer
Father, Your psalms can speak to many situations. Help this psalm speak to my heart.
Read PSALM 71
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11 They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no one will rescue him.”
12 Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, God, to help me.
13 May my accusers perish in shame;
may those who want to harm me
be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
of your saving acts all day long—
though I know not how to relate them all.
16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
17 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
18 Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.
19 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
you who have done great things.
Who is like you, God?
20 Though you have made me see troubles,
many and bitter,
you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
you will again bring me up.
21 You will increase my honor
and comfort me once more.
22 I will praise you with the harp
for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy
when I sing praise to you—
I whom you have delivered.
24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
have been put to shame and confusion.
Reflect
Think about how your view of God has changed over the years. How has your description of God changed?This psalm, probably written by David in old age, shows God’s faithfulness throughout the seasons of life, all the way from birth (6) and youth (5) through to old age. As the psalmist dwells upon God’s character, he declares that he will always have hope (14). What does hope look like for you?
When we know God as our personal “rock of refuge,” then no matter what circumstances we face, we have this deep-rooted faith that God is still sovereign. The psalmist faces challenges in old age but is aware that nothing is ever hopeless with God.
There are two specific verses that I find fascinating. First, verse 7 speaks of how the psalmist’s life has become a sign to many of God’s strength. When people look at our lives, what do they see of God? Are we carriers of peace, joy and love? And how does our prayer life shape the way we live?
Secondly, verse 24 states that “My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long.” The psalmist’s faith is evident in his life, but it’s also evident in his speech. How do we boast of God’s great acts day by day in the twenty-first century?
Apply
Re-read the psalm slowly. As you do so, reflect on God’s presence, here and now, by his Holy Spirit.
Closing prayer
Lord, no matter what situations I find myself in today, may my tongue “tell of Your righteous acts all day long” (24).
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