Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.”
Psalms 71:17-18 says, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. When we can learn early that He is God, and beside Him there is none else, what stability that adds to life. And so, it is good for us to speak of the things God has taught us, so that others who have an ear to hear may learn as well.
Then, as the psalmist speaks of being “old and grayheaded,” he says, “O God, forsake me not.” As the infirmities of age begin to take hold, while much of life may be filled with challenge and uncertainty, God is still the same, His mercy endures forever, and He is well able to provide our needs. When Paul said in Romans 5, “tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope,” this is a faithful saying and one that, indeed, brings much comfort to the child of God. God will not forsake His own who trust in Him.
But beyond his concern for God to remain his help and stay, the psalmist asks for the opportunity to “[show God’s] strength unto this generation.” It is good for us to “learn of Him” and learn to trust Him, but are we showing this confidence to others? We live among a culture today who really needs to see that God is our trust. It should be evident that our decisions are being made based upon the teachings of God. It should be clear to others that God’s way is what we purpose to follow all of our days. What better contribution can we make to our generation, than to model authentic Christianity and faithful discipleship each day, and “hold forth the word of life” before them?
And finally, even beyond having a good influence on those around us, the psalmist expresses a desire that “those to come” may know the power of Almighty God. How often we see buildings and organizations carrying the name of someone so that that name or work can be remembered. And, much of that is pure vanity. But instead of his own name, the psalmist desires that God and His power be remembered by those to come. He desires that somehow (perhaps by his writings and/or what he had taught to others), God who has “shown Himself strong on the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (see 2 Chronicles 16:9) and who has been his helper all down through the changing scenes of life, would be known and loved as long as time remains.
So this week, what might we do to show to others that we love and trust the Lord? And beyond that, what might we do to make a lasting impression to the testimony of God’s love, His goodness, His mercy, and His great power to care and provide for His own? What a blessing to be an encourager of those around us. How much more, to be that to the generations to come?
In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell
How wonderful when we can know, as did the psalmist, that God is faithful to provide for us all along life’s pathway.Then, as the psalmist speaks of being “old and grayheaded,” he says, “O God, forsake me not.” As the infirmities of age begin to take hold, while much of life may be filled with challenge and uncertainty, God is still the same, His mercy endures forever, and He is well able to provide our needs. When Paul said in Romans 5, “tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope,” this is a faithful saying and one that, indeed, brings much comfort to the child of God. God will not forsake His own who trust in Him.
But beyond his concern for God to remain his help and stay, the psalmist asks for the opportunity to “[show God’s] strength unto this generation.” It is good for us to “learn of Him” and learn to trust Him, but are we showing this confidence to others? We live among a culture today who really needs to see that God is our trust. It should be evident that our decisions are being made based upon the teachings of God. It should be clear to others that God’s way is what we purpose to follow all of our days. What better contribution can we make to our generation, than to model authentic Christianity and faithful discipleship each day, and “hold forth the word of life” before them?
And finally, even beyond having a good influence on those around us, the psalmist expresses a desire that “those to come” may know the power of Almighty God. How often we see buildings and organizations carrying the name of someone so that that name or work can be remembered. And, much of that is pure vanity. But instead of his own name, the psalmist desires that God and His power be remembered by those to come. He desires that somehow (perhaps by his writings and/or what he had taught to others), God who has “shown Himself strong on the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him” (see 2 Chronicles 16:9) and who has been his helper all down through the changing scenes of life, would be known and loved as long as time remains.
So this week, what might we do to show to others that we love and trust the Lord? And beyond that, what might we do to make a lasting impression to the testimony of God’s love, His goodness, His mercy, and His great power to care and provide for His own? What a blessing to be an encourager of those around us. How much more, to be that to the generations to come?
In the love of Christ,
Elder Clayton Nowell