Psalm 71
Sunday, 10 April 2022
“Upon You have I relied and been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You. -Psalm 71:6
This psalm is a prayer of an old man for deliverance from his fear. We see the wonderful way the Psalmist saw God as his refuge, rock, fortress, hope, help, and confidence. This led him to praise God more and more by extolling His attributes like righteousness, wondrous deeds, power, strength; glory and greatness. The above led to his assurance in the salvation and redemption of God. We cannot choose the troubles and trials that come our way but we sure can choose to look on the greatness of God and his goodness towards all men and lift up our downcast souls during times of trails as the Psalmist did.
Many a times when we go through problems, the first thing we do is go back to our past to see if there is anything there that has brought this on and feel condemned, even though the word of God in Romans 8:1 says “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We are now a new creation “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. The new creation is not to walk according to the old ways, nor think of the old ways either (past). It is done and finished with! Start looking at Christ in us and not the Adam (self) in us and walk accordingly knowing that the one who was/is victorious is now leading us. For “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God….” (Galatians 2:20).
Can you imagine the freedom this will bring? We will no longer think that it is our prayer life, our Bible study, our good works, or our church attendance, our ministry work, our walk with God, etc. that is keeping us well, but it is only the goodness and mercy of God that is keeping us for He has said that He will never leave us or forsake us. This does not mean that we neglect to do all the above underlined works, it is required but do not let us become self-sufficient by thinking that it is our works that is keeping us. Our assurance should always be GOD for we do not know the sum of His goodness towards us as the psalmist cried out in verse 15.
The psalmist made God his stronghold by considering Him as his…….
REFUGE
A place of protection and safety that we need because of the constant barrage of the world through its “self-salvation” ideas and through satan who sends thoughts into our minds, which bring fear into us when we feel weak/helpless like in our old age (Vs. 9 & 11). David was incited to take census of Israel (2 Chron. 21:1). Jesus was tempted in the wilderness. We have to take refuge in the promises/warnings in the word of God.
FORTRESS
A strongly fortified place not susceptible to outside influence or disturbance and able to stand the test of time. “The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” (Proverbs 18:10). He should be the first place we go to when trouble comes our way.
“But as for me, I will hope continually and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the sum of them.” Psalm 71:14-15