Tag: BUT NOT EVERLASTING

Psalm 71

“Though You have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again”

(Psalm 71:20).

We do not know who wrote this psalm, but some have ascribed it to David in his old age (see v. 9, 17-18) who has experienced great and severe adversities (v. 2-4, 11-12, 20). He expressed hope and confidence in God who had protected him in his youth (v. 5-8), and would continue to be with him in his twilight years (v. 9-24). Clearly, his faith was based on God’s righteous character (v. 2, 15-16, 19, 24).

 

He called God “O Holy One of Israel” (v. 22), a name used 30 times in Isaiah, and 6 times in the rest of the Bible (2 Kings 19:22; Psalm 71:22; 78:41; 89:18; Jeremiah 50:29; 51:5).

 

God makes us “see troubles” as part of His strategy and plan to develop Christ-likeness in us. It may seem that our bond of fellowship and oneness with Him is stretched almost to the breaking point, but, ultimately, from the depths, He will restore our life again (v. 20).

 

 

We must never doubt God, thinking that He is indifferent, or that He has forgotten or abandoned us. No matter how difficult things may be, even the longest day has a sunset, and the winter snow will eventually melt—so it is as we persevere with God and wait patiently for Him.

 

 

The psalmist concludes: “You will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth [the grave]. You will again bring me up. You will increase my honor [greatness] and comfort me once again” (v. 20-21).

 

Perhaps you say “But, nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen.” God knows! If our troubles do not end in this life, they surely will end in heaven!

 

Someday our heavenly Father will comfort us, increase our greatness, and we will be clothed with unspeakable brilliance. Some glorious day we who are His, shall be in His presence and enjoy Him forever!

 

 

“You have made known to me the path of life; You fill me with the joy of Your presence, at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).

 

“I will sing praise to You . . . O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to You—I whom You have redeemed” (Psalm 71:22-23).

 

“O what a blessed day that will be when I shall . . . stand on the shore and look back on the raging seas I have safely passed; when I shall review my pains and sorrows, my fears and tears, and possess the glory which was the end of all!” –Richard Baxter

 

When God wipes away our tears, our hearts that have forgotten how to sing will burst forth in thankful, jubilant, eternal song!

 

When all my labors and trials are o’er,

And I am safe on that beautiful shore,

Just to be near the dear Lord I adore

Will through the ages be glory for me. –Gabriel