November 27th, 2011
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

A Strong Tower

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Opening Prayer

Lord, You are the God of the ages, the Savior of all who trust You. I come to You and Your holy Word now.

Read PSALM 71:1-24

[1] In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. [2] Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; 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, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. [5] For you have been my hope, O 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 like a portent to many, but 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] Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my 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] But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. [15] My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. [16] I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. [17] Since my youth, O 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, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. [19] Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God, you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you? [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 again. [22] I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. [23] My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you- I, whom you have redeemed. [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.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

From memory, list some of the images which the Bible uses to convey how God cares and provides for you.

Think Further

Like an exhausted swimmer struggling to survive amidst turbulent waves, the elderly psalmist is fearful of being overwhelmed by his enemies. Intent on doing him the utmost harm, his opponents appear to have the upper hand. Having reached the latter part of his life, the psalmist is especially conscious of his own frailty. He no longer has the physical strength to stand up to them. His enemies see their opportunity; they sense his vulnerability. They even presume that God has forsaken him. “No one will rescue him,” they say (11). In a world marred by aggressive wickedness, no one is exempt from attack, least of all those who seek to live righteously. Those who are elderly and frail can feel especially vulnerable to hostility from others.

With good reason the psalmist cries to God for help against his cruel and wicked opponents. By himself, he lacks the resources to withstand their onslaught. He needs a “rock of refuge,” a “fortress” (3) to protect and shelter him. Recalling previous occasions when God has helped him, he petitions the Lord to deliver, rescue and save him now. Having experienced the Lord’s gracious assistance and protection in the past, he asks with confidence, believing that God will not let him down. While it is vitally important to keep our relationship with God up to date, recollection of his help in the past can strengthen our faith in the present.

Trusting in the faithfulness of God, the author draws his psalm of petition to a conclusion by anticipating how he will praise God with both musical instruments and his own voice (22-24). Like him, we should feel confident to call on God for help when we are confronted by vindictive enemies. As we trust in God, petition will eventually give way to praise.

Apply

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge” (Psa. 18:2). Memorize these words and meditate on them.

Closing prayer

Living and loving God, when I, like the psalmist, feel overwhelmed, remind me that You are my fortress and I’m safe in Your care.

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