Show and Tell

Psalm 71
Matthew 28

It is easy to witness to God's goodness when we are in our prime. We are filled with energy, business or vocation is going well, we know the respect of our peers, the children are doing well, the grandchildren are charming us, and life is going pretty much according to the script. Indeed, God is good. But then things subtly begin to change. We retire and others take our place. We become an outsider instead of a "mover and shaker." We discover our fixed incomes while prices continue to rise. We find ourselves busy but less productive, less needed. Our Psalm says that we are a portent to many. In other words, we become a demonstration of what is ahead for those coming after us--good or bad.

We don't know for sure who wrote this psalm. It is not specifically accredited to David. But whoever it was, tells of his faith beginning as a child, "From birth I have relied on You. You brought me forth from my mother's womb." He proclaims that he has trusted in God. God has been his rock, his refuge, his hope, his confidence. And now he prays, "Do not cast me away when I am old, do not forsake me when my strength is gone." He goes on to say "As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. . . .Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I have declared your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come."

This psalmist may be old and gray but he has an amazing sense of purpose. He has stories to tell. Stories of God's faithfulness, God's provision, God's care and protection. And even now as he writes this psalm, he is continuing to trust his loving God to be faithful. "Low I am with you always," said our Lord to the disciples as he vanishes from their sight. Even as the psalmist is losing his own strength, he is declaring God's strength toward him and for his benefit.

We all have stories to tell, stories of God's love toward us. We, who have known his care are and provision from birth and even in our declining physical state as we continue to know his care, his presence and his love, have a job to do. We are to declare the good news to all who will listen, "God is good. Yes, He is still good!"

Finally the psalmist talks about the enemies in his old age. We might think of them as disease, illness, poverty, and the final one--death. All of these enemies will be soundly defeated, "put to shame and confusion." They will not conquer us. "My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you--I, whom you have redeemed. My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all the day long."

Do you moan and groan all the day long, or tell the continuing stories of God's love and faithfulness?