Today’s Encouragement is, “You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.” Psalm 71:21 NLT
Will Restore Me –
Let’s examine the context of this bold, confident statement of faith.
In Psalm 71, David begins in desperation, crying out: Help me and rescue me from my enemies (v4), I’m growing old and weak (v9), My enemies are plotting to destroy me (v11). Then he pleads with God to save him (v17-18). But He turns from despair to praise in (v22) I will praise you (v24) for they have been (already, now) put to shame and disappointed (v24). This change in attitude and perspective, or “turn,” occurs in many psalms and in the poetry of the Bible. The writer moves from despair to praise as he writes.
Now, consider. In the course of writing this one poem, did his desperate situation and dire circumstances really change? Or was his heart changed?
Is it possible that – as he poured out his prayer, God‘s confidence filled him and he realized, became completely convinced, he knew that he would be, was already, rescued and saved, even though the physical evidence and external circumstances were unchanged!
This is our God. Almost always, He works a change within us, before the external is changed. Because my friend He is more interested in our character than our comfort. Just as a human parent allows their child to experience discomfort and hardships to strengthen them, God does the same. However, unlike human parents, our God is always close, always ready to help, and even to rescue and restore us!
Thank You, Father, for Your Wisdom, for allowing us to recognize our deep need for You in every aspect of our lives. We need You, Lord. Only You can rescue and restore us!
This Is Our God
Phil Wickham