Date: 1/21/2004
Time: 9:36:44 AM
There are a few recurring themes here, which related to the other reading in Jer. 1:4-10. The themes of youth, and of God rescuing us.
What standing out for me is how David's spiritual formation took place. Here he said, "I have leaned upon You from my birth" and "You are my hope, my trust from my youth". Unlike Moses or Paul who encountered the Living God then become His followers, David was His follower all along, by the time he faced Goliath in 1Sam. Yahweh was already his Living God, then he saw that God in action.
I am thinking and praying so much about the next generation of the church, (perhaps out of self-interest of preserving my 4 years old son's faith in the future). They/he will face a much more massive gigantic enemies compare to mine. Will they/he able to face the enemies and discern their weaknesses like the case of Goliath's exposed forehead? Will they/he be able to know when to run and hide like in the case against Saul? How can I ultimately teach/train them/him to find a refuge in God?
All I can submit, are the questions. You have the answers, oh God.
Coho, Midway City
Date: 1/22/2004
Time: 9:24:23 AM
Psalm 71 sounds the same promise that Jeremiah heard: we are known by God, who is always faithful to us. The psalmist's plea for protection recognizes God has been faithful in the past and God will offer the help and comfort we need in the future. How would our prayers change if we trusted how thoroughly and completely we are known by God?
Date: 1/29/2004
Time: 3:03:30 PM
The first three verses of Psalm 71 are almost identical to the first three verses of Psalm 31, also a "Psalm of David." There are a couple of interesting differences. Psalm 31 has, "In you, O Lord, I SEEK refuge," while Psalm 71 has, "In you, O Lord, I TAKE refuge." Could it be that "David" learned a thing or two over the years about trusting in God - no longer having to seek, knowing he can take? The other difference is that, in Psalm 31, the plea is, "incline your ear to me and rescue me speedily." Psalm 71 simply has, "incline your ear to me and save me." The impatience of Psalm 31 is replaced by simple, matter-of-fact trust in Psalm 71. I like this Psalm more and more with each passing year! -Paul in Sparkle City
Date: 8/18/2004
Time: 4:43:53 AM
On the gospel site, Christine at the Shore related some information about the Bentover Woman's possible medical condition. It seems as though it started with her leaning over to relieve back pain. The leaning was the conduit for the crippling spirit to bind her body.
Psalm 71 also talks about leaning, but not to relieve pain or as the avenue for bondage. We lean to gain support from our Creator, who takes us from our mother's womb. The question is...can we distinguish between the supportive leaning on God with the escapism from pain?
Is there anything here?
RB in PA
Date: 8/18/2004
Time: 5:47:11 PM
perhaps we can conceive of a nurturing, more supportive aspect of God. The psalmist could be discribing God as the support for living. Then whether one is standing straight, or bent over, God is there.
Shalom
bammamma
Date: 8/20/2004
Time: 9:15:37 AM
"Upon you I have leaned from my birth", the people who coordinate the lectionary reading must have been anchored their selection according to the Gospel reading. (We are reading about the 'Bent-over woman' this week in Luke 13).
Apart from that setting, Psalm 71 is a cry for deliverance. Reading the whole Psalm brought up some interesting points. The author lamented about his old and gray, that God has made him see troubles and many bitters, but he "continually praise" God and hope for restoration. He also continue in the work of "declare God's power to the next generation", and to "all who are to come".
I remember my 70 years old senior pastor as I read these words. Still going strong shepherding the flock after all these years. I just pray that God will help me to grow old like this. Be able to continually rely and hope in God, worship and serve God, until the day I see Him face to face.
Coho, Midway City.
Date: 8/20/2004
Time: 9:22:16 AM
Hey wait a minute - didn't we study this Psalm already in Jan.? I noticed my own post dated 1/21/04 here... I thought the lectionary text won't repeat until 3 more years...
Coho.