Wednesday, July 1, 2009

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?

12 friends shared a comment:

TRUTH SHARER said...

Oh - my heart needed to read this!!! It sounded like you were reading MY history of life too!

"God is FAITHFUL in all His ways!" That's what I've been proclaiming for all these years - even when things didn't go my way!

This was so wonderfully put here - you should get a medal for this post!

In the midst of it all - all the garbage -
God was,
He is,
and He will be faithful!
Praise Him!

PS: Have you read the book -
Crazy Love by Francis Chan?
It grabs you about the 4th chapter and it's profound - dealing with our following of Christ - how committed are we really?

Thanks for the scriptural TRUTH found here today! Bless you!!

Choosing JOY, Stephanie
[JESUS - the One I Worship]

Denise said...

He has been faithful, He is faithful, and will always be faithful. I love you dear,.

Karen said...

Oh - my God has continually been faithful to me over all these years! He has brought me deliverance, healing, freedom, joy, contentment, understanding, wisdom, knowledge of His Truth, and more. He has protected me. He's redeemed me and set my feet upon a Rock - The Rock. He continues to bring me into a more spacious faith and continues to draw me close to Him. He continues to bring me more and more freedom from the fears I've dealt with. He is my God and I am His child! Hallelujah!

Take care,
Karen

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

"A learning curve in his infinite mercy..." (love that!).

I can trace the hands of my Father throughout; while stepping each season, not so much, but the older I get the more I recognize the beauty of a backward glance that allows me the "vision" of seeing him there all along.

It keeps me hopeful for what lies ahead.

Hope you're doing well.

peace~elaine

PS: Let me know all about "she speaks" when you return. Wish I could be with you all.

Joanne Sher said...

Oh yes! Redemption. Incredible post, La.

Karen said...

I just wanted to come by and say that I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Karen

Toia said...

You have the most inspiring and word-filled post. I always enjoy my visit on your blog.

Have a bless weekend!!

LisaShaw said...

Passionate and powerful -- a journey that has GOD's hand upon it as do we all. His grace is amazing.

I enjoyed my visit.

Praying a blessed 4th for you and your family. Hugs and love.

Teresa @ Grammy Girlfriend said...

What a wonderful post....Thanks for sharing..

Dee Yoder said...

Beautiful, Laura! I have learned, too, that God is always faithful. Through thick and thin--He's FOR me!

How are you? I miss you on the Jeweler's yahoo group! I need to get over here or at FB more often to checkin with you. Have a good week, Dear Friend!

Lori Laws said...

I read this, and it makes me think of what King David said at the end of his life..."Once I was young, and now I am old, Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread."

I hold onto that with all my heart.
Good post. God bless you!

Mari said...

As always, your words stir hearts. Anointed, intentional and faithful...God has blessed teh work of your hand & heart in your written word.