The psalmist speaks out of mature experience with the Lord. He prays for help
(vv. 1-4) but affirms his confidence in One he has found faithful from his youth (vv. 5-15)
Although in danger, the psalmist will ‘always have hope and will always praise God’ (vv.
14-18) Despite life’s troubles, he counts on God to restore him (vv. 19-21) and commits
himself to a life of praise (vv. 22-24) Psalm 71 seems to cover all the feelings we might
have as we spend time caretaking. As we age ourselves, there are days we have little
energy and can become easily overwhelmed, perhaps sinking into despair.
If you find yourself in that condition, become familiar with the following verses
from this Psalm, vv. 9, 12,18. “Do not cast me aside in my old age; as my strength fails,
do not forsake me.” v.9. “God, be not far from me; my God, hasten to help me.” v.12.
“Now that I am old and gray, do not forsake me, God, that I may proclaim Your might to
all generations yet to come.” v.18. More importantly, focus on the verses of hope,
vv.14-16, 19-24, that the future is filled with hope. Have a confident expectation of hope
because hope means a positive expectation that something good is going to happen!
God always has a plan. Encourage yourself by writing individual Scriptures out to pray
during the day.
Why is it in humanity that it is easier to despair, then remain hopeful? Only God
sees the entire picture and asks us to trust in His love to carry us forward, despite any
difficult circumstances. We look to the Word of God to give us wisdom and hope. The
Israelites, in the desert, were feeling overwhelmed in the present, fearful for the future
and inadequate in themselves and they heard the Lord in Numbers 11:23, “The Lord
answered Moses: Is this beyond the Lord’s reach? You shall see now whether or not
what I have said to you takes place.” God’s promises take place all over the Scripture.
Can you believe that God’s power is not limited? There is nothing God cannot do.
Isaiah 40:28-31, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is God from
of old, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, and His
knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives power to the faint, abundant strength to the
weak. Though young people faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they
that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will run and not grow weary, walk
and not grow faint.” God sees and knows all the details of our lives. When we grow
tired, it affects us. Even the strongest of the strong can become weary. As God’s
children we can gain new strength because nothing is too difficult for the Lord. Where
am I on my journey of hope to the Lord?
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