“O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those who come” (Psalm 71:17-18).
The unnamed writer of this psalm speaks for many of us who are no longer young, but still desire to share with others the good news of God’s saving power and love. Throughout his life, God has “done great things,“ but he has also made [him] see many troubles and calamities” (71:19-20).
So, he prays the Lord not to desert him now, but to enable him to keep on bearing testimony to God’s “righteous acts” and “deeds of salvation,” (15). Looking forward in faith, he declares, “you will revive me again, . . . bring me up again, . . . increase my greatness and comfort me again” (20-21).
Like all the Psalms, this one points to Christ, who did, indeed, see many “hard things” (NKJV), even to the point of crucifixion, but whom God raised up for us all. And, as we are now by faith “in Christ,” it applies to us as well. Yes, in this world we have trouble (John 16:33), but the Lord will give us enough strength to bear witness to his salvation while we live and, when he returns, raise us up again.
May you know a special measure of love, joy, and peace this week as we all ponder the magnum mysterium (great mystery) of the Incarnation of the Son of God.
In his grace,
Wright