Psalm 71
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
my confidence since my youth.
6 From birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
7 I have become a sign to many;
you are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with your praise,
declaring your splendor all day long.
9 Do not cast me away when I am old;
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together
do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
10 For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together
- Deuteronomy 6:7 (NRSV)
Last year I celebrated the “threescore years and ten” spoken of in Psalm 90:10 (kjv). When I look in the mirror, I see with some regret my sagging muscles, wrinkled skin, and my gray balding head. I am reminded of the nostrums, balms, and guaranteed cures for these conditions that assail me from the screen of my TV and from the pages of newspapers and magazines. Temptation is there, but instead of trying to renovate the old, I observe with excitement and joy the vibrant, young extension of my life in my children and grandchildren. I do not mourn my gradually fading memory.
Instead, I joyfully use my remaining God-given resources and spiritual gifts to ensure that through my example of prayer and love my descendants and others may see Christ in me. I want them to follow in the path of joy and peace that I have known in my Christian life. In the fullness of time they will follow me to be with God forever.
Last year I celebrated the “threescore years and ten” spoken of in Psalm 90:10 (kjv). When I look in the mirror, I see with some regret my sagging muscles, wrinkled skin, and my gray balding head. I am reminded of the nostrums, balms, and guaranteed cures for these conditions that assail me from the screen of my TV and from the pages of newspapers and magazines. Temptation is there, but instead of trying to renovate the old, I observe with excitement and joy the vibrant, young extension of my life in my children and grandchildren. I do not mourn my gradually fading memory.
The Author Keith Honeyman (Western Cape, South Africa) from the Upper Room
Thought for the Day
No matter what age we reach, we are always God’s children.Prayer
Dear God, thank you for your blessings of love and joy. Help us to pass these on to the generations who follow us. Amen.
Prayer focusThose who are aging alone
