Daily Bible Challenge: Day 549 Psalms Chapter 71

I was very encouraged by this chapter.

I'm breaking this chapter down into three categories:

1. God

2. Testimonies and

3. Restoration.

With each category, the psalmist repeats himself and does so more than once. For a writer to repeat themselves often is to show just how important the message is. So I take very seriously what the psalmist has to say about each category. I don't want to miss anything. I want to be challenged.

1. GOD: the psalmist makes it very clear that God is his refuge and deliverer. He declares it many times. He also says that God is his hope and confidence. We live in a world where we are looking for answers and Hope. We live in a world where people are struggling with their self esteem and lack confidence. Christ is our hope and has given us value and purpose. And with that comes the Holy Spirit who will give us abilities and confidence to fulfill the call that God has on our lives.

And because the psalmist knows who this God is, he speaks of his praises to God over and over and over and over and over again. He says I will ever praise you. So may I Praise Him OFTEN!

2. TESTIMONIES: about 10 times the psalmist says he will declare, tell of, and proclaim the mighty, the splendor, the righteous deeds, saving actions, mighty actions, marvelous deeds, power, mighty acts, and righteous acts of God.

Perhaps, if we took more time each day to meditate on the Lord, we would find that we have many testimonies of God's awesomeness that we could share with others and Praise God for.

3. RESTORATION: the psalmist points out how he has struggled with his enemies attack and how he has faced many troubles and bitter days. But he declares that God will restore him again.

Did you get that? Satan is constantly beating us up. Is constantly telling us we are worthless, we can't be used by God again, we are dirty. And the negative list goes on.

In fact, the psalmist says, God will bring us up and comfort us and increase our honor. That is great news to me because Satan wants to bring us down but God wants to restore us. Are you listening? God loves us and wants to restore us and the honor that we once had when we were following strong with the Lord, then to have lost, God wants to restore our honor and our integrity not to the level that it was but to an increased level. Where we gain the love and respect of others once again but even more so.

I am God's child. He has a purpose for my life. I surrender my life completely so that I might obtain the very thing that he has for me. I am valuable and important and he will make me worthy to carry the name of Jesus with confidence and with integrity and with Honor!!