Bible League: Living His Word Even when I am old and gray,do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71 was written in King David's old age, as appears from several of the verses in it, including our verse for today. It was penned during a time of trouble in his later years. Perhaps it was at the time of Absalom's rebellion. It expresses some of the concerns typical of those who are advancing in years: that his weakness will lead to shame and a loss of honor; that he will become vulnerable to opposition; that he will be overlooked, passed by, and not heard. Above all, David's Psalm expresses the concern that he might be forsaken, by man and even by God Himself. He cried out to God: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone" (Psalm 71:9). David had relied upon the Lord from his youth, and now in his old age he needed Him more than ever. All along the ups and downs of his journey through life he had not forsaken the Lord, and now he asks the Lord not to forsake him. He had a reason why God should not forsake him. God should not forsake him because he had not yet finished declaring God's power and mighty acts to the next generation. Like many of his age, he did not want to pass on until he had fully accomplished his mission and calling in life. He was not simply requesting deliverance from his troubles and an extension of his life for his own sake, but so that he could ensure the next generation would realize their need for God. David was a man of God. And like all men and women of God, he had the desire to "still bear fruit in old age" and to "stay fresh and green" (Psalm 92:14), until he had delivered himself of everything he believed the next generation needed from him in order to successfully initiate and continue their walk with God. Perhaps the years are catching up to you and you can see the end looming up. Perhaps, like David, you believe there is still something you need to leave behind. Today, ask God to help you finish everything He has placed on your heart – and to give you peace about it. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading2 Chronicles 4, 5, 6 2 Chronicles 4 -- Temple Furnishings NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 5 -- Ark Brought into the Temple; God's Glory NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 2 Chronicles 6 -- Solomon's Prayer of Temple Dedication NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading John 12:20-50 John 12 -- Jesus Anointed at Bethany; Enters Jerusalem; Sought by Greeks; Foretells His Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.Insight Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim our light, (5) not explaining our light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Challenge Be a beacon of truth—don't shut your light off from the rest of the world. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Isaiah 51:3 He will make her wilderness like Eden.Methinks, I see in vision a howling wilderness, a great and terrible desert, like to the Sahara. I perceive nothing in it to relieve the eye, all around I am wearied with a vision of hot and arid sand, strewn with ten thousand bleaching skeletons of wretched men who have expired in anguish, having lost their way in the pitiless waste. What an appalling sight! How horrible! a sea of sand without a bound, and without an oasis, a cheerless graveyard for a race forlorn! But behold and wonder! Upon a sudden, upspringing from the scorching sand I see a plant of renown; and as it grows it buds, the bud expands--it is a rose, and at its side a lily bows its modest head; and, miracle of miracles! as the fragrance of those flowers is diffused the wilderness is transformed into a fruitful field, and all around it blossoms exceedingly, the glory of Lebanon is given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon. Call it not Sahara, call it Paradise. Speak not of it any longer as the valley of deathshade, for where the skeletons lay bleaching in the sun, behold a resurrection is proclaimed, and up spring the dead, a mighty army, full of life immortal. Jesus is that plant of renown, and his presence makes all things new. Nor is the wonder less in each individual's salvation. Yonder I behold you, dear reader, cast out, an infant, unswathed, unwashed, defiled with your own blood, left to be food for beasts of prey. But lo, a jewel has been thrown into your bosom by a divine hand, and for its sake you have been pitied and tended by divine providence, you are washed and cleansed from your defilement, you are adopted into heaven's family, the fair seal of love is upon your forehead, and the ring of faithfulness is on your hand--you are now a prince unto God, though once an orphan, cast away. O prize exceedingly the matchless power and grace which changes deserts into gardens, and makes the barren heart to sing for joy. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 1:23 "BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."2 Chronicles 6:18 "But will God indeed dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 1 Timothy 3:16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory. Hebrews 1:2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. John 20:19,20,26-28 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." • And when He had said this, He showed them both His hands and His side. The disciples then rejoiced when they saw the Lord. • After eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors having been shut, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." • Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." • Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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