Abiding Strength

“I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” (Ps 71:16 AV)

 

Written in David’s old age, this is his declaration of faithfulness until the LORD would call him home.  Contained in the entire psalm are David’s concerns about growing older.  He seeks God’s faithful guidance and strength as he ages lest the enemies of him and his kingdom get the advantage.  He seeks God’s ever-abiding presence, wisdom, and strength as his life-long enemies assemble outside the gate, waiting for a moment of weakness to do him in.  When HE makes the statement above, he has assured the LORD will strengthen him to face everything that life will bring.  This fear of weakness is something that becomes more real and large the older you get.  What is ironic about his statement is that we are always going in the strength of the LORD whether we realize it or not.  The Bible says,  “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Col 1:17 AV)  We live and move and have our being by the power of the Most High.  We cannot sustain ourselves.  We are always living under the strength of the LORD.  It simply becomes more apparent the older and more dependent we become.  David makes this statement to alleviate his fears of waning strength.  He will make it to the finish line by the same means he has made it thus far.  In the strength of the LORD.

Coffee is a wonderful thing!  I think the angels in heaven drink triple shots because they sing day and night forever and ever before the throne of God!  Coffee has to be the beverage of glory.  LOL.  My wife just had intestinal surgery and I have a few medical issues that make caffeine a measured luxury.  Normally, I dilute full-strength coffee with decaf by two-thirds.  Because of her surgery and ban from all caffeine, I diluted it even more.  Now, we are drinking almost straight-up decaf.  The thing is, when you are dependent on caffeine to get you going in the morning, you get so used to it, that it is hard to notice it until it is taken away.  This morning was a classic example.  Last night, I went to bed with a massive headache.  So, I took something for the headache and something to help me sleep.  I had the best night of sleep in a very long time.  Almost twelve hours with only one middle-of-the-night waking.  Twelve glorious hours of deep sleep!  I think a gained a few years back.  However, I felt groggy.  After two cups of almost decaf coffee, I felt like taking a nap.  Then I remembered my wife had K-cups of Highlander Grog – fully caffeinated.  Twelve ounches later, I am awake!  The strength which I presumed was always there.  I just had to be reminded from where it came, and rely upon it when needed.

David’s fears are common ones.  As we age, what was once of no concern at all becomes larger and larger.  When our temples age and the ability to do what we once did becomes more and more of a challenge, we become a little anxious.  Especially when we see the challenges ahead.  Our lawns do not grow any slower.  It still snows as much as it always has.  And life becomes far more complicated with health concerns and the complications of life.  But there is another application here.  David was concerned with the threats he had been able to handle his whole life becoming more able to cause him harm the older he got.  We have enemies that will always try to destroy what God has made us.  We have the devil, the flesh, and the world.  In our youth, we could take them on.  As we become battle weary, the strength of our enemies does not ebb.  It remains as strong as they were the day we accepted Christ.  The aging saint will see his adversaries and realize without the strength of the LORD, he has no hope.  He realizes this because it dawns on him he has been living in the strength of the LORD all along.  More or less.  In our youth, we do not realize how much the LORD sustains us.  We do things in our own strength first.  We don’t have that option the older we get.  Hence, David’s statement.  What a glorious statement that is.  I can give first-hand testimony of the strength of the LORD in times of deep distress.  With all that we have gone through the last three months, I can tell you the strength of the LORD is what got us through.  As we got through the last three months, we will get through the remainder of our future.  This is the conclusion David made in this Psalm.  We will go forth in the strength of the LORD until his last breath.