As trying circumstances arise (v. 10-13), the author of Psalm 71 reflects on how God had been faithful to him throughout his youth (v. 5-6, 17). These reflections lead the psalmist to turn to God in prayer, asking for God's help into his mature years (v. 9, 18).
Lord, in verses 20-21, the word that stands out to me is "again." The author declares: "You...will revive me again...you will bring me up again....and comfort me again." When the psalmist is confronted with hard times, he reflects on how you have revived him, lifted him up, and comforted him in the past. And this gives him hope that you can do all these things again, now, in the moment of the psalmist's need. Lord, if we look back on your past mercies and kindnesses to us, then will find that we have many reasons for hope. Each act of mercy we remember is another piece of evidence that you are faithful to us and can be trusted to help in our present hardships too.
Lord, I'm also drawn to the word "continually" in verses 3 and 14. In verse 3, the psalmist describes you as "the rock of refuge, to which I may continually come." You are not merely a God of second chances, but a God who is always available and continually faithful, forgiving, loving, and true. It is amazing that we can come to you, God, over and over and over again, whether we're praising your name, asking for help, or confessing our sins, you are always there for us; and we always find what we need in you. Now we know the source of the psalmist's continual hope that he expresses in v. 14: "I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more."
Lord, we pray for those Christian believers who are mature in years and for whom life is more challenging now than in previous seasons. It might be tempting to think that something went wrong, that you had somehow forgotten them, and that they had somehow fallen from your good graces. Like this psalmist, we pray, help these saints cherish the memories of your past faithfulness, and help these memories fuel a tenacious hope that helps them persevere in seeking refuge in you. For those saints for whom memory is an issue, we trust them into your loving care, depending not upon their abilities, but upon your faithful love. Lord, we praise you for always being available for us, and always providing us exactly what we need when we need it. In Jesus' name, amen.
