Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Forsake Me Not
Today's Verse:
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. ~Psalm 71:17-18
Psalm 71 is a prayer of David in his old age. It could have been penned during the revolt of Absalom or during the remaining years before he ceded the kingdom to Solomon. One thing is for sure: David wrote for us his concerns when he was criticized and written off by his adversaries. Most men his age would have lost hope in everything. David was not that kind of man. He learned that God was working in his life. He knew that there were still some things that God wanted to do for him. We see the prayer of David asking God to not forsake him.
We see an essential foundation.
In the midst of his discouragement, David remembered the days of his youth. “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth... O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” He thought back to the days when he had his devotions on the Bethlehem hillside. He remembered the lessons concerning the disciplines of his soul. He remembered seeing God honor his faith in difficult circumstances. He remembered how the God Who delivered him from Goliath’s boastings was also the God Who delivered him from Saul’s bitterness. You see, the days of youth are days in which the foundation for our life is established. Learn all you can about God’s power and how He works in youth. Learn to walk with God and to have faith in Him in your youth. Do not despise the days of small things.
We see an earnest faith.
David declared that his trust was in God. It was not a flippant faith, but rather a dogmatic and determined faith. His faith was in the refuge of God’s hiding place. He knew that his best shelter was in the presence of God. He knew that the safest place for him was staying in the shadow of His rock and fortress. Though he knew that he was old and gray-headed, there was a determination to keep witnessing the Lord’s mercies and goodness. He learned that complaining and murmuring does no one any good. Instead, he declared the righteousness of the Lord. What good counsel that is! When we are discouraged and people let us down, let’s grab some tracts and go tell someone about the saving power of the Lord. He sensed his weakness and vulnerability, but declared, “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD.” Don’t allow your faith to diminish as you get older. Keep your faith sharp and strong by trusting in God for your steps.
We see an exciting future.
David did not see a future that was bleak. He saw a future filled with blessings and opportunities. He prayed for needed strength to declare God’s righteousness to his generation. He asked God for the power and strength to finish his life well. He envisioned finishing his days praising the Lord, seeing more answers to prayer, conquering a few more battles, and showing the generation coming up behind him the greatness of the Lord. David was asking God to keep using him. David was asking God to keep giving him opportunities to witness. David was asking for greatness and comfort on every side. David saw an exciting future.
Don’t let setbacks, criticism, and weariness put you on the shelf of uselessness. Ask God to increase your steps. Look back to the former days of victory, and look ahead to finishing strong in the power of the Lord. “Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
Have an energized God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Chronicles 12-14
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