The older telling the younger

15My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,

of your saving acts all day long—

though I know not how to relate them all.

16I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;

I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.

17Since my youth, God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18Even when I am old and gray,

do not forsake me, my God,

till I declare your power to the next generation,

your mighty acts to all who are to come. (Psalm 71)

Thoughts: This man had seen many troubles in his day.  But He also saw God's deliverance, help, and answered prayer.  God had been teaching him since he was a young person to trust the Lord even in the tough times.  Now that he was getting old, he was especially wanting to share his faith with the next generation.
     We should not keep the good news to ourselves.  Others need to know that God delivers and saves us in the midst of trouble.  

Prayer: Lord, you have helped me my whole life long.  Now I see it. Help me to tell others that they can trust in you too. 

3/15- Declaring God’s Glory with Supporting the Elderly- Psalm 71:9, 18

3/15- Declaring God’s Glory with Supporting the elderly- Psalm 71:9, 18

Do not cast me away when I am old;
    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

(Psalm 71:9,18)

 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim. 5:8)

Thoughts: In some cultures the old are purposefully and literally left out in the cold to die.  For Christians life is sacred and each soul is valuable- whether very young or very old.  Again, many churches form retirement communities where family can make sure their loved ones are cared for.  It is not fair that those who changed the diapers of the young (when they were helpless) are neglected when they are old.  One of the answers to the prayers above is for Christians to care for those who are older.  In 1 Timothy 5 in the New Testament, it is clear that families are encouraged to care for their elderly- especially widows.  But it is also clear when families cannot (and we may add when resources are depleted  the churches have a role to play in caring for the elderly.  In our state the Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopalians have homes for the elderly. So on Mother's Day Presbyterian churches will take an offering for the Presbyterian Home folk who cannot pay their way.  

Prayer: Lord, never forsake us.  Give us grace to not forsake your church nor have your church forsake us.  

2/23- Declaring God’s Glory in Sharing- Psalm 71:15-18

2/23- Declaring God’s Glory in Sharing- Psalm 71:15-18

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long— though I know not how to relate them all. ¹⁶ I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. ¹⁷ Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. ¹⁸ Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Thoughts: The Psalmist clearly saw his life as an opportunity to share God's love and ability to help to everyone.  He said he would tell it all day long (vs. 15), and said he would tell it all life long (vs. 18).  He saw a solemn responsibility to not let the faith die with his generation.  Too many of us have abandoned our children to unbelief refusing to talk about God lest we hurt their feelings, or interrupt their relationship with us.  But while we would tell a child no to not touching a hot stove to protect them physically- even if that child may become upset at us- we will not tell a child no to putting other things in the place of God.  We not only have not done a great job at telling the next generation the mighty acts of God- we have communicated to them it is not really that important.  So our children do not know to call on God for help.  So our grandchildren do not know where to turn when they've reached the proverbial end of their rope.  This Psalmist was so grateful to God for helping and saving him from trouble nothing would contain his declaring God's glory.  When God has helped us, we should  give Him the credit and not be ashamed to share our faith with others. 

Prayer: Today is an opportunity you have given me, O gracious God, to declare your glory.  Help me to do just that.