October 15
________________________________________CONTINUED RELIANCE ON GOD’S PROTECTION
I have become a marvel to many,
For You are my strong refuge.
8 My mouth is filled with Your praise
And with Your glory all day long.
9 Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.
10 For my enemies have spoken against me;
And those who watch for my life have consulted together,
11 Saying, “God has forsaken him;
Pursue and seize him, for there is no one to deliver.”- Psalm 71:7-11
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According to Matthew Henry’s commentary on this psalm, David penned this psalm in his old age, as appears by several passages in it, which makes many thinks that it was penned at the time of Absalom’s rebellion; for that was the great trouble of his later days. It might be occasioned by Sheba’s insurrection, or some trouble that happened to him in that part of his life of which it was foretold that the sword should not depart from his house. But he is not over-particular in representing his case, because he intended it for the general use of God’s people in their afflictions, especially those they meet with in their declining years; for this psalm, above any other, is fitted for the use of the old disciples of Jesus Christ.
Verse 7 is a humble admission that without God’s deliverance, we cannot have victory. David acknowledges God for all the victories he had won because without Him, he will be defeated. Verse 8 praises God continually all day long. No wonder David is called a man after God’s own heart. He manifests a passion for being with God and relying on Him constantly. Verse 9 declares his dependence once again. He knows that if God leaves him alone, he will be overcome by his enemies.
Verses 9-11 sounds like a little child running to his parents for protection and telling them what these cruel enemies have done to him. There is a confident tone in David that God will ensure his safety. By telling God what these wicked people are doing to him, how they are ganging up against him, David is exhibiting an unusual dependency on God. Something that we lack in our world these days.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God wants us to run to Him and rely on Him constantly?