A Psalm 71 Perspective

"From birth I have relied on You;

You brought me forth from my mother's womb.

I will ever praise You.”

Psalm 71:6

I’m amazed as I flip through previous chapters of my life—amazed at God’s faithfulness, His unfathomable love and favor upon me, even through the world’s ugliest offerings.

Chapter 1: My Childhood

The world offered me abuse, anger, despair, hopelessness and pain.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God saved me with sacrificial love, Fatherly affection, protection and compassion. He showed Himself faithful.

“Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,

from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

For You have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,

my confidence since my youth.”

(vs. 4-5)

Chapter 2: My Youth

The world offered me a broken family, ridicule, deception, bad counsel and manipulation.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God overwhelmed me with true love, a church family, unconditional acceptance, & pure, unadulterated Truth. He showed Himself faithful.

“Since my youth, O God, You have taught me,

and to this day I declare Your marvelous deeds.”

(vs. 17)

Chapter 3: My Young Adult Years

The world offered me temptation, betrayal, empty pleasure, feelings of inferiority & illness.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God worked in me true fulfillment, God-confidence, grace, encouragement & healing. He showed Himself faithful.

“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.”

(vs. 20)

Chapter 4: My Not-quite-as-young Recent Past

The world offered me more temptation, grief, discontentment, distractions, depression & confusion.

~ But looking backward, in the midst of it all…

God gave me a learning curve in His infinite mercy. He poured out His power, His comfort, His wisdom, His strength and stability in me. He showed Himself faithful.

“And I'll take up the lute and thank You

to the tune of Your faithfulness, God.

I'll make music for You on a harp,

Holy One of Israel.

When I open up in song to You,

I let out lungsful of praise,

my rescued life a song.”

(Vs. 22 & 23, the MSG)

Chapters 4 & Beyond:

The world will offer me more of the same, I’m sure--even worse as I learn to deny myself and follow Christ more devoutly.

~But looking ahead, in the midst of it all…

I will follow hard after the Lord, remembering His love through all of my past. And as I set my eyes on the future hope of Heaven, just as He has always been faithful, I pray He will find me the same.

"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. (vs. 18)

I'll write the book on Your righteousness,

talk up Your salvation the livelong day,

never run out of good things to write or say.

I come in the power of the Lord God,

I post signs marking his right-of-way."

(vs. 15-16, the MSG)

Your turn, friends. What do you have to say about your life from the perspective of Psalm 71?
Are you looking at your circumstances through His grid?
How have you found Him faithful?
When He comes, how will He find You faithful?