Divine Food For The Day Our Daily Manna

MONDAY, 3 APRIL 2023

TEXT: Psalms 71:1-24

1. In you, O Lord, I take refuge; let me never be put to shame.

2. In your righteousness deliver me and rescue me; incline your ear to me and save me.

3. Be to me a rock of refuge, a strong fortress, to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

4. Rescue me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of the unjust and cruel.

5. For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.

6. Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother’s womb. My praise is continually of you.

7. I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

8. My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long.

9. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent.

10. For my enemies speak concerning me, and those who watch for my life consult together.

11. They say, “Pursue and seize that person whom God has forsaken, for there is no one to deliver.”

12. O God, do not be far from me; O my God, make haste to help me!

13. Let my accusers be put to shame and consumed; let those who seek to hurt me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14. But I will hope continually, and will praise you yet more and more.

15. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all day long, though their number is past my knowledge.

16. I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord God, I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.

17. O God, from mouth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.

18. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come. Your power

19. and your righteousness, O God, reach the high heavens. You who have done great things, O God, who is like you?

20. You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

21. You will increase my honor, and comfort me once again.

22. I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praises to you with the lyre, o Holy One of Israel.

23. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have rescued.

24. All day long my tongue will talk of your righteous help, for those who tried to do me harm have been put to shame, and disgraced.

(New Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: I HAVE BECOME A SIGN

Psalm 70 seems to be like an introduction to Psalm 71 and so are connected. Signs are meant to point to something or someone, either good or bad.

Here, the Psalmist presents himself in verse 7 as someone who has done to him. God’s work of salvation and deliverance in the life a sign of the working mercy and grace of God from birth to old age.

He states: “I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds” (verse 16b).

In the same manner, every believer in Jesus Christ is meant to be a sign to the unbelieving world around us. Our words and lifestyle are meant to depict the glory of God.

Unfortunately, we live in an age that is focused on self rather than God, on material wealth rather than growing in faith, etc. The Psalmist challenges us to become signs that will tell of the righteous acts of God and His faithfulness to others.

QUESTION: What kind of sign are you?

PRAYER: I surrender my whole being to be used as a sign pointing people to You as the only Saviour. Help me to remain faithful, in Jesus name. Amen.