Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 71:14-18
Ps 71:14-18
But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.
2 Tim 4:6-8
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
We never have to worry about God forsaking us when we get old. The problem is when we forsake him in our older years. The Old Testament is full of examples of men who trusted God in their youth and then turned from him in their later years. Instead of remembering all he had done for them, they allowed the distractions of this world to change their hearts and they lost their faith in God.
One of the saddest commentaries given about any person is said about Solomon who had been blessed in abundance beyond anyone before or after. He was given wisdom from God that surpassed everyone else, he had riches and wealth which he used to accomplish things still considered “wonders of the world.” But he allowed his many wives to turn his heart from God, so it says that his heart was not fully devoted to God as was the heart of his father David.
And then, I have watched older people who seemed to trust God more every day, even in their nineties and past a hundred years. They reveled in talking about what God had done for them and they continually studied his word. When they could no longer read, they listened to others teaching classes and preaching. They never stopped growing in their faith, and we should follow their example.
O Lord, creator and sustainer of all things, I thank you for all you have done for me in more ways than I can count or even know. I look over my life and I know that I have wasted so much time and I have not always been what you want me to be. I am so thankful that you have been willing to continually forgive me, even though I know I do not deserve your love or your patience. Continue to mold me into your image and the likeness of Jesus. Use me to help others serve you faithfully. Give me a pure heart and a steadfast spirit. I humbly pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
