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Psalm 71 v 3
Want to get away from it all? Want to escape the stresses of modern life?
Want to find a safe place in a troubled world?
Proverbs 18 v 10
But the idea is very common in scripture – and always the attention of the
reader or the worshipper is drawn to the LORD Himself who is a constant
refuge for His people. For, whatever our circumstances He offers the only
constantly available place of safety – he is “ALWAYS AVAILABLE”
This Psalm might be called the “Asylum Seeker’s Psalm” – for certainly in
its opening verses that is the prevailing theme.
v6 from my birth
v5 & 17 since my youth
v9 when I am old
v18 even when I am old and grey
The Psalmist surveys his life and concludes in verse 14: “as for me I shall
ALWAYS have hope…”
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And finally I see that his time scale is not only in years but in days – he
uses the phrase several times:
He is :
“my rock of refuge to which I can always go…”
• In all ages
• In all circumstances
• All day long
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• v6 from my birth
• v5 & 17 since my youth
• v9 when I am old
• v18 even when I am old and grey
It is the psalmist’s testimony – and ours as well, that the Lord’s power is
applicable at all ages.
5
For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,
my confidence since my youth.
6
From my birth I have relied on you;
you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
I will ever praise you.
17
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvellous deeds.
18
Even when I am old and grey,
do not forsake me, O God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your might to all who are to come.
From the supreme trauma of birth – to the “old and grey” each age has it’s
own peculiar problems and God is ALWAYS AVAILABLE to each of these.
True – more come to faith as young people than the middle-aged and the
elderly – but God is ALWAYS AVAILABLE at each stage.
THE YOUNG are especially precious to us – they have the whole of their life
before them – so we must make sure that they know the Christ who is
ALWAYS AVAILABLE for them.
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The old and grey increasingly look frailty and decline in the face
The “spiritual asylum seeker” looks for a refuge for freedom from attack
and hardship and persecution:
1
In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2
Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
7
I have become like a portent to many,
but you are my strong refuge.
10
For my enemies speak against me;
those who wait to kill me conspire together.
11
They say, “God has forsaken him;
pursue him and seize him,
for no-one will rescue him.”
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My life may have taken a turn in which it is less easy for me to recognise
that He who is ALWAYS AVAILABLE is walking beside me.
14
But as for me, I shall always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
15
My mouth will tell of your righteousness,
of your salvation all day long,
though I know not its measure.
16
I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign LORD;
I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.
17
Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvellous deeds.
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and finally ….
This is the conclusion of the matter – from a man who looks back over a
long life lived in the confidence that God gives
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He reflects on the past – and as he gets older he does this more often – but
DAILY he takes stock and concludes that GOD who is ALWAYS AVAILABLE
offers him a future whatever his age:
the harp
the lyre
shout
sing
Our GOD is ALWAYS AVAILABLE – take refuge in Him and in Him alone.
www.davidagreen.com
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