Day: January 27, 2026

TODAY’S LESSON: see that bird???

HIGH FIVE! (Thank you for understanding)

Psalm 71 is a powerful declaration of lifelong trust, especially from someone in later years who has walked with God long enough to know His character deeply. It highlights God as refuge, rescuer, and faithful companion from birth to old age, offering a model for how seasoned believers face adversity with confidence.

🌄 Core Themes of Psalm 71

🛡️ 1. God as Lifelong Refuge

  • The psalm opens with a plea for protection rooted in trust: “In you, O LORD, do I take refuge.”
  • Commentators note that the psalmist draws heavily from earlier psalms (e.g., Psalm 31 and Psalm 22), showing a lifetime of scriptural memory shaping his prayer.

👶 2. Faith Formed From Birth

  • The psalmist emphasizes that God has been his support “from my mother’s womb,” highlighting a lifelong relationship with God.
  • This continuity of trust—from youth to old age—is central to the psalm’s message.

👴 3. A Prayer of the Aged Believer

  • Many scholars describe Psalm 71 as “the prayer of the aged believer,” someone who has seen God’s faithfulness over decades and now calls on that history as he faces new threats.
  • Spurgeon notes that this is a prayer “strengthened by a long and remarkable experience.”

⚔️ 4. Honest Struggle With Enemies

  • The psalmist faces real opposition—people plotting against him, taking advantage of his weakened state.
  • Yet he refuses despair, anchoring himself in God’s righteousness and deliverance.

🎶 5. Praise as a Lifelong Rhythm

  • Even in distress, the psalmist’s mouth is “filled with praise all the day.”
  • His testimony becomes a witness to others: he is “a portent to many,” meaning his life—preserved by God—stands as a sign.

🔥 Why Psalm 71 Matters Spiritually

A Model for Aging With Faith

Psalm 71 shows that spiritual maturity doesn’t mean the absence of struggle—it means deeper confidence in God’s character.

A Blueprint for Prayer

It blends:

  • Petition (“Rescue me”)
  • Remembrance (“You have been my hope from youth”)
  • Praise (“My mouth is filled with your glory”)

A Call to Finish Well

The psalmist asks God not only for rescue but for the ability to continue proclaiming God’s power to the next generation—a theme that resonates strongly with leadership and legacy.

🌱 Practical Takeaways for Today

  • Lean on your history with God. Past faithfulness fuels present courage.
  • Aging doesn’t diminish purpose. The psalmist sees his later years as a platform for testimony.
  • Praise is a stabilizer. Even in hardship, worship keeps the heart anchored.
  • God’s care spans your entire story. From birth to old age, He remains constant.

I am taking care of my aging Mom… She fell after Christmas and fractured her back… I came back from the GYM last week to have her call my name from the bathroom. She could not get out of the bathtub and was in it for an hour… I LOVE MY MOM, HOWEVER… why doesn’t she listen to me and take showers instead???

Holy God, You confound the world’s wisdom in giving your kingdom to the lowly and the pure in heart. Give us such a hunger and thrist for justice, and perseverance in striving for peace, that in our words and deeds the world may see the life of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

I AM GOING TO THE GYM THIS AFTERNOON… I have to take my Mom to her Doctor’s Appointment this morning… SHE NEEDS A PERSCRIPTION TO GET REHABILATION FROM AN OUTPATIENT CLINIC.