JUST THINK OF HIS GOODNESS IN THE PAST

Proclamation:

“I will remember the deeds of The Lord; yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago.  I will consider all Your works and meditate on all Your mighty deeds.”  Psalms 77:11-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

The words of this psalm were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Asaph, who was the director of music appointed by King David.  The psalmist begins by expressing his distress and his concern that caused him to question whether The Lord had forgotten him. (Psalm 77:1-9)  Then he said, this is my lot and I know how I will deal with it.  He said that he would remember the previous actions and miracles that the Lord had performed and meditate on them.

Application:

When we are feeling down or depressed and it seems that The Lord has forgotten us, we need to remember His word and His promise that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)  We should reflect on the things that He has done for us, and for others, in the past and realize that He will make a way when there seems to be no way. (Isaiah 43:19)  We just need to trust in The Lord.  He will show us the way and provide a lamp unto our feet and a light on our pathway. (Psalm 119:105)  Remember, the wind and the waves of our storms obey His will. (Mark 4:39)  And, if He chooses not to calm the storms, He said that He would be with us and protect us through the storms of life.  Either way He does it, we win.

DO NOT FORSAKE ME WHEN I AM OLD AND GREY

Proclamation:

"Even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, My God, until I declare Your power to the next generation, Your mighty acts to all who are to come."  Psalms 71:18 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words are believed by most Bible scholars to have been written by King David under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  This request for The Lord God not to forsake him when he is old and weak is stated earlier in this psalm (Psalm 71:9) but here he repeats it and offers a reason along with the request.  The psalmist stated that he wanted to tell all who would listen about the righteous deeds and mighty acts of God. (Psalm 71:15-16)  He stated that God had taught him things since the days of his youth. (Psalm 71:17)  Now he was asking God not to forsake him and to spare him until he had declared God’s power and mighty acts to the next generation. 

Application:

Do not discard or disregard the "seasoned" senior saints, there is a lot of wisdom tied up in all those years that could be useful to the believers of the world.  For we who are old have seen, and experienced, and learned a lot during our Christian walk that could benefit the younger generations.  We can truly testify, based upon our trials and tribulations, about the strength and power of The Lord, and what He has done in our lives.  To the young I say, listen when the elderly speak, you just may learn something.  We have been through more than you can imagine.  God is not through with us old folks yet, and with His help there is still some kingdom building work for us to do, including teaching the young.  To the old I say, share what you have learned with the younger generations, with your children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and anyone’s child who will listen.  He has blessed us so that we can be a blessing to others.  God has left us here among the living because our work here is not done.  That is why we can pray this old man's prayer.  We need to praise Him for all that He has done. (Psalm 71:14)  We need to pray for His help to guide our tongue as we speak to the younger generations as well as to all others.

TRUST IN THE LORD AND NOT IN MAN

Proclamation:

"Listen to my prayer, O God, do not ignore my plea; hear me and answer me.  My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught ... My heart is in anguish within me ... If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were raising himself against me, I could hide from him.  But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship as we walked with the throng at the house of God ... My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.  His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.  Cast your cares on The Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall … But as for me, I trust in you." Psalms 55:1-23 (NIV) Shortened

Explanation:

This psalm of David is one of his prayers. He prayed this prayer when he was being attacked from without and from within, and even some of his friends had turned on him.

Application:

Not only are we suffering from the attacks and disappointments from others, but our thoughts and emotions are negative and out of control.  This psalm of David advises us to pray when things seem to be going wrong.  David also warns us to watch out for our "so-called" friends.  We expect attacks from our enemies, but not from our "friends."  These "friends" will attack us, usually verbally, and break promises made to us that they never really intended to keep.  They are smooth talkers, but they have malice in their hearts.  Even our friends with good intentions will let us down and disappoint us. Some times, like the Apostle Paul, when they want to do good and do the right thing, they don’t do it and they do wrong instead. (Romans 7:19)  It is better to put our trust in The Lord. (Psalms 118:8)  Trust in The Lord, for only He can protect and sustain us, (Psalm 28:7 and Proverbs 29:25) and He will never leave us of forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8)