Dear Congregation,
Alec Motyer asks the question, ‘How far back in your life can you trace the hand of God?’ He adds ‘If you have never done this, I venture to think you will be surprised!’
Well that is a challenge too good to pass up on, don’t you think? Perhaps we will discover that we are not, and have not been as conscious of the hand of God on our lives as we ought. And as a result, not given Him the praise that we should have. Indeed find ourselves slow to trust Him in a rising or present trouble.
The author of Psalm 71 declares in v.1 “In You, O Lord, I put my trust” as he prays for the Lord’s continuing help as he moves into old age (v.9, 18). Ongoing need drives him to prayer, but more he reveals that it is the reliability of the One to whom he prays that drives him to prayer in his need.
But as he looks backwards beyond his trouble to see God’s gracious hand on him, so he looks forward even to old age. And the reality he expresses is the limitless examples of divine help which he could lift up to God’s praise:
Whether we are aware of it or not, the Lord God has been our support from birth (v.6) – indeed even before as Psalm 139 points out. Indeed the whole of our life is His active and loving concern – our old age and infirmity as much as our youth and prime.
In time it reached a particular expression in saving grace by bringing us to faith in Christ, a faith He continues to protect and preserve as well as strengthen. But it is not limited to that. This is an all-of-life theology of God’s grace.
Not accident but design, not coincidence but plan, not chance but divine direction – that is the story of every believer, the secret history of every conversion. (Motyer)
It is a great comfort to realize that the Lord GOD (‘the Sovereign Yahweh’) is there for us, ready to hear our prayers. What is most encouraging is the thought of God’s continuing and unchanging faithfulness throughout every season of life. This truth delivers us from reaching the point of desperation and hopelessness. But it also fills our lips with praise, the soul caught up in wonder.
“I do not know their limits” – and so it will be every day that our earthly life shall last.
Let’s spend some time praising the Lord GOD for His presence in your life.
Together in Christ’s love and service,
John
Your Pastor