By now I guess you have all figured out that I am planted on Psalm 71 this week. Wow..what a wonderful place to just dwell for a while. This psalm was written by David in his older years. David, who had a humble beginning..happy to be out tending the sheep. When the Lord spoke to Samuel the prophet that he was sending him to a man named Jesse..and among Jesse's sons, Samuel was to anoint the next king. Jesse brought 7 of his sons before Samuel to see which one would be made king, but each time, Samuel told Jesse that this was not the one that God had chosen. God had told Samuel to look not on the countenance, or the stature of these young men, because He looks on the heart. When all 7 of Jesse's sons had passed before Samuel, and none of them had been chosen king, Samuel asked Jesse if he had another son. Jesse replied that his youngest son was out tending the sheep. When he was brought before Samuel, he was not from his outward appearance, the one that most people would have chosen..but he WAS the one that God had chosen.
David went on to slay the giant, Goliath. He became king of all Israel and he went on to win many battles. You can read a lot about his life in 2 Samuel. Often he was in danger...but he was a man who knew God. He was a man who trusted God..and now toward the end of his life, he was acknowledging God. David was a wise man. He knew that it was God who was his hope. (vs 5) But he knew something even deeper than that. He knew that it was God who had carried him for his entire life. He knew that it was God who had held him from the time that he was born. He knew, if you go on to read the next few verses, that even though his enemies spoke against him, that God had never left his side..He said in verse 14 that his hope was continually in God...and that he would praise God more and more. There is that word continually again.
David's hope was "continually" in God. He told God.."Thou art my trust from my youth." David had made a decision to trust God..PERIOD! In verse 7 he said that He knew that he was a wonder unto many, but that God was his STRONG refuge. God often chooses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. David knew God..but David also knew his brothers..and I wonder if he questioned why God had chosen him..but he also believed God. His hope was continually in God..and he praised Him! The words that he spoke were to honor and to praise his Lord..(vs 8).
Has God chosen you for something that you feel you can just never conquer on your own? . Has he allowed you to possibly be in a ministry that is very challenging? Are you challenged at work, or at home with your family? Are you dealing with people who don't see the heart that God sees in you, and question you "continually"? Ask Him to help you to trust Him. Ask Him to help you to see his handprints on your life. Ask Him to help you today, to look back, and see the times that He has carried you. Ask Him to help you to look forward, knowing that He will never leave you or forsake you.
I want to live here for a while....and remember in my own life..that it has been God who has held my life from the time I was born. I want to look back at my life..and remember today..the handprints of God in my life. I want to look back and see and remember..the times that I have seen Him carry me..the times that I've seen Him protect me..the times that I have seen him provide for me..the times that I have heard His voice in my heart..the times that He has given me direction. I want to just take some time today to remember..and then I want to look forward...and I want to gather strength for the future, knowing that God has been the biggest part of the past. I want to be continually hopeful about the days to come, knowing that God has never failed in my life. I want to praise Him..because He is worthy to be praised. I want to honor Him with my life..
I hope that today every one of us will take a look back..I hope that we will spend time thanking Him..and I believe that with Him in our future, we will be FILLED with hope, and with gratitude. May His Name be praised!
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