Saturday, August 18, 2012

Day 71: Psalm 71- Which Season Are You In?


Dear Readers,
Psalm 71 is like music to my ears. Maybe it’s because I can relate. Take a moment and read verses 18-23.
18 Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God.
    I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness.
19 God, your goodness reaches far above the skies.
    You have done wonderful things.
    God, there is no one like you.
20 You have let me see troubles and hard times,
    but you will give me new life;
    you will lift me up from this pit of death!
21 You will help me do even greater things.
    You will comfort me again!
22 I will play the harp and praise you.
    My God, I will sing about your faithfulness.
I will play songs on my lyre
    for the Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy,
    singing songs of praise to you for saving me.

The Psalmist is looking back at his life. He has faced trials and feels like he is in a pit. He knows God will deliver Him. He asks for God’s help to revive them again. He knows he will sing songs again and praise God. He knows the seasons and understands that he is in a winter season. If he knows this, he will not panic!
A wise man and or woman of God discerns which season they are in. Is it summer, winter, spring, or fall? Once one identifies the season, they can then devise a plan of action. The Bible also tells us to be instant in season and out, so just because we might be signing the winter blues, does not mean that we are exempt from doing God’s work!

So what season are you in? What does that mean for you?

Psalm 71 -Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)

71 LORD, I depend on you for protection.
    Don’t let me be disappointed.
You always do what is right, so come and save me.
    Listen to me and save me.
Be my Rock, my place of safety.
    Be my fortress, and protect me!
You are my Rock and my protection.
My God, save me from wicked people.
    Save me from cruel, evil people.
Lord GOD, you are my hope.
    I have trusted you since I was a young boy.
I depended on you even before I was born.
    I relied on you even in my mother’s womb.
    I have always prayed to you. [a]
You are my source of strength,
    so I have been an example to others.
I am always singing about the wonderful things you do.
Don’t throw me away just because I am old.
    Don’t leave me as I lose my strength.
10 My enemies make plans against me.
    They have met together and are making plans to kill me.
11 They say, “Go get him!
    God has left him, so there is no one to help him.”
12 God, don’t leave me!
    My God, hurry and help me!
13 Defeat my enemies.
    Destroy them completely!
They are trying to hurt me.
    Let them suffer shame and disgrace.
14 Then I will always trust in you
    and praise you more and more.
15 I will tell people how good you are.
    I will tell about all the times you saved me—
    too many times to count.
16 I will tell about your greatness, my Lord GOD.
    I will talk only about you and your goodness.
17 God, you have taught me since I was a young boy.
    And to this day I have told people about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and my hair is gray, don’t leave me, God.
    I must tell the next generation about your power and greatness.
19 God, your goodness reaches far above the skies.
    You have done wonderful things.
    God, there is no one like you.
20 You have let me see troubles and hard times,
    but you will give me new life;
    you will lift me up from this pit of death!
21 You will help me do even greater things.
    You will comfort me again!
22 I will play the harp and praise you.
    My God, I will sing about your faithfulness.
I will play songs on my lyre
    for the Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy,
    singing songs of praise to you for saving me.
24 My tongue will sing about your goodness all the time,
    because those who wanted to kill me
    have been defeated and disgraced.

 Please take time to reflect about this Psalm. What is God speaking to you?  Feel free to email me @ illyguana@hotmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also send me a message in FB to Illy Reich (Frontline-student Ministries)!

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