Psalm 71 -An Aged Believer

All mine shall be His and All of His shall me mine-Spurgeon

And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. Rev 12:11

Written by one who has walked long with the Lord, finding strength from his journeys. He asks for help with his enemies and seeks blessings for himself. He anticipates God’s grace and promises and praises the Lord exceedingly.

(possibly written by David, Jeremiah, or perhaps the sons of Jonadab who were the first taken captive by the Babylonians or maybe King Hezekiah

Legacy-anything handed down from the past

What Legacy will we leave behind? How does our faith make a difference in the way we meet life challenges?

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful 2 Tim 4:7

A Legacy of Trust?

Vv 1-3  He rests everything on the character and the compassion of God

If you can’t trust God with everything, you don’t trust Him at all.

Put, (cast off all your fears –Psa 55:22, 1Peter 5:7) and focus your faith and trust in the living God. He will not fail.

Faith is believing that God will do what is BEST! 

          I believe

          I am confident

God is Faithful 4-6  My enemies are His enemies

My God (Eloheim-God the Creator and Sustainer) You’ve always been the one   who  rescues me. Nahum 1:7, Prov 18:10

          God gives us grace to hope and so He will fulfill it. Jeremiah 17:13  O LORD, the hope of Israel

You are my hope. I’ve trusted you since I was a child even from birth.

Walking down memory lane, How can I keep from praising You? You have never  failed me. I was vulnerable at birth and you were in it all, now in my old age,I feel vulnerable but I trust You. I praise You my God! This one lesson I have learned I will praise You.

A Legacy of Confidence in God through it all…7-11

Be a  living example to those who follow you  

When I am strong – I am in God

When I am safe- He is my refuge, my hiding place

When I am calm-I am resting in Him

When I trust Him-my faith feeds my confidence.

          Of His strength and His protection. They will need it also

          Praise Him in the midst of your trials

          Give Him glory in all you do

Be assured of His presence in your struggles trusting that God will never abandon you. Old age robs us of personal beauty, and deprives us of strength for active service; but it does not lower us in the love and favor of God.

Confidence in the Character of God will defeat ALL enemies

A Legacy of Prayer- vv 12-13 always turning to God

          Call out to God in time of need. When you are old and even if can’t remember His promises He still can! He is faithful and He hears our prayers. He will never leave us or forsake us in the days ahead.

A Legacy of Song vv14-15  singing His praises

          I will hope- When I cannot rejoice in what I have, I will look forward to what shall be mine, and will still rejoice.         

          I will praise-we are to tell of His goodness to us and praise Him.

          I will tell- Even though I am not skilled with Words

           I will Sing of His love- let nothing stop you from singing

 Lord, where I cannot count I will believe, and when Your truth surpasses what I can take in,  I will take to wonder. I will reach to Your level of understanding.

A Legacy of Strength v16 leaning on His everlasting arms

         I will go in the strength of the lord God-I will speak only in Your Righteousness. The Weak and frail leaning on the All power Righteous right hand of his Father.

 "Go in this thy might, "we may advance without fear. Though hell itself were in the way, the believer would pursue the path of duty, crying: I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.Spurgeon

A Legacy of sitting at the Master feet vv17-20 Time in His Presence

          Oh Lord, I come to You  v1

          You have taught me and I have taught others v17

          Things haven’t changed  now that I am old-give me a chance to keep telling  the    story of our time together  vv18-20

          I continue to place my trust, my faith,my confidence in You and I will sing of Your love forever, I will forever praise Your Name, you are my Strength O Lord. Vv21-24

 Faith believes that she has her request, and she has it. She is the substance of things hoped for—a substance so real and tangible, that it sets the glad soul singing. Already sin, Satan, and the world are vanquished, and the victory is ours.