Taking refuge in the Lord
So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.Psalm 71:18
One of the temptations of old age, when bodily strength and mental alertness begin to falter, is to take refuge in the comforts offered in the here and now. The words of Psalm 71 encourage us, instead, to continue to take refuge in the Lord, who in His righteousness delivers and rescues us (verses 1-3).
The Psalmist, speaking not only of himself but more importantly, speaking words of our Lord Jesus, had placed his hope in the Lord from his youth. Looking further back, he confesses that he trusted in the Lord even before birth. Indeed, it was the Lord who brought him to birth (v 6) - reason for continued praise!
It’s not that the Psalmist’s life had been easy. Many had wanted to shun him (v 7a). He had been a ‘portent’ to them. The word ‘portent’ is reminiscent of Isaiah 52:14 that says, “his appearance was disfigured beyond human semblance, /and his form beyond that of ordinary men”. He had enemies who wanted to pursue and seize him, because they were convinced that God had forsaken him. Yet the Psalmist continued to hope in the Lord and was determined to praise him more and more (v 14). He would tell of the Lord’s countless righteous acts, his saving deeds “all the day” (v 15).
Then comes a model prayer for all who are aged: “So even to old age and grey hairs, O God, do not forsake me, /until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come”. Isn’t it often the case that children have been baptized because of the influence of their grandparents; that it’s grandparents who have influenced their grandchildren for good by taking them to Sunday School and to Divine Service, and by continuing to offer up fervent prayer for them?
God still works in and through his older saints. I recall one elderly man in a rest home, who had to be brought into services in a mobility chair. In his youth, he couldn’t see the point of confirmation and didn’t have much to do with the faith through his working life. Once he began attending services at the rest home, however, he was greatly encouraged by hearing God’s Word and by the prayers I had with him in his room. The Holy Spirit stirred up the embers of faith and he let me know that he wanted to be confirmed. He wanted to be taken through the whole Catechism before his confirmation. He continued to receive his Lord by way of His Word and Supper week by week, until his death a couple of years later. The Lord certainly didn’t forsake him in his old age!
Psalm 71:19-20 goes on to say, “O God, who is like you? You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; /from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again”. Our Lord Jesus was made to see “many troubles and calamities”. Bearing our sins, He suffered the penalty for them in our place, so that through His wounds we might have healing. The psalm also points us to His victory, by using words from Moses’ song of victory after the crossing of the Red Sea. Moses and the people of Israel sang, “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods?” (Exodus 15:11). They sang that Pharaoh and his host “went down into the depths like a stone” (Exodus 15:5). Our Lord Jesus also went into “the depths of the earth”, though He didn’t “see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). Instead, He was raised to life and to glory by the power of God. All who believe in Him can be sure that at the last Day He will raise their bodies and make them glorious like His (Philippians 3:21). The Lord will also increase our greatness and comfort us again (Psalm 71:21).
Therefore, we too can sing praises to the “Holy One of Israel” (v 22). In His faithfulness He has redeemed us (v 23). He’s brought us His “righteous help” and has shamed and silenced our accusers who seek our hurt (v 13), so that with the Psalmist (v 23) we too may “shout for joy”.
Heavenly Father, your Son has won the victory over sin, death, and Satan, our chief accuser. Grant us your Holy Spirit so that, whether young or old, we may all praise you and proclaim your might and righteous help “all the day long”. We pray through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
by Pastor David Buck