A man does what he has to do…. What men call a hero is merely a man who is seen doing what a brave man does as a matter of course.”
–Louis L’Amour (Bendigo Shafter)
“Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day.”
–2 Samuel 23:20 (NKJV)
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“Just a line to say I’m living, that I’m not among the dead;
Though I’m getting more forgetful, and mixed up in my head,
I got used to my arthritis, to my dentures I’m resigned;
I can manage my bifocals, but I sure do miss my mid.”
(unknown, taken from “A Psalm in Your Heart,” George O. Wood)
There you go friends, I’m still loving; confused much of the time and my fingers do not want to coordinate with my thoughts so pardon any great mistakes as they just do not want to cooperate–mind and fingers. Psalm 71 is a psalm written by a person not enjoying life as his biological clock is winding down. Or a person like I’ve been the past few weeks with my mind staggering, wondering what is happening. Let’s look this morning at verses 1-8:
1 — In You, O LORD, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.
2 — Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape; incline Your ear to me, and save me.
3 — Be my strong refuse, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
4 — Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteousness and cruel man.
5 — For You hare my hope, O Lord GOD; You are my trust from my youth.
6 — By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb. My praise shall be continually of You.
7 — I have become as a wonder to many, but You are my strong refuge.
8 — Let my mouth be filled with Your praise and with Your glory all the day. (NKJV)
Things just aren’t easy right now. The pestilence is still about, my mind is confused. However, the Psalmist proclaims that the Lord has been with him from birth. From a lifetime experience this Psalmist testifies to the predictability of God’s care for him. David has faced many things in his life: wild animals, being hunted by Saul, sin and the death of his son. He has victories and good times. Many wrongs he suffered he did not deserve, but others he brought on himself.
“This side of eternity, we do not know how many times David faced trouble. Every time we hear him pray, he is either just entering, in the midst of, or emerging from a deep assault on his soul. This psalm of old age is no different–life has not gotten easier.” (George O. Wood)
“My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ, the solid Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.”
–Edward Mote