Pass It On! (4 of 5)
Series: Summer in the Psalms
Keith Krell
Psalm 71:17-18
If you knew you only had one year to live, how would you spend your time? Would you spend your time traveling the world and seeing places you've never seen? Would you purchase as many toys and trinkets as you could afford? Would you spend more time at work attempting to climb the ladder? Would you choose to eat anything and everything you want-no holds barred? How would you choose to spend your last year on earth?
In Psalm 71:17-18 an anonymous psalmist suggests that the wisest use of time is to invest in the next generation. We could put it like this: Before passing on, make sure you pass it on. Of course, the ''it'' is a reference to the legacy of your faith. This big idea resembles the vision of our church: ''giving forth truth to the next generation.'' The reason that you and I are still alive is to glorify God by passing on our faith. The psalmist's words are specifically directed to the older, wiser generation of seasoned saints.
Since we're only studying two verses, we need to make sure we understand the overarching purpose of Psalm 71. Verse 1 unveils the theme of the chapter: ''In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed.'' In 71:24 the theme is confirmed as the psalmist returns to his use of ''ashamed'' (bosh): ''. . . For they are ashamed, for they are humiliated who seek my hurt.'' The verb ''ashamed'' (71:1, 24) forms an inclusio, bracketing the theme of this chapter. It is also noteworthy that in 71:2 the psalmist uses three different Hebrew words in his prayer to God to avoid shame: ''deliver'' (natsal), ''rescue'' (palat), and ''save'' (yasha). The psalmist yearns for protection and perseverance from his enemies. He is also battling against the fear of death (71:10-11, 20), the loss of honor and dignity (71:1, 24), the loss of strength (71:9), sense of vulnerability (71:4, 11, 18), forced dependence (need for ''refuge,'' 71:6, 9, 18), and ...
Series: Summer in the Psalms
Keith Krell
Psalm 71:17-18
If you knew you only had one year to live, how would you spend your time? Would you spend your time traveling the world and seeing places you've never seen? Would you purchase as many toys and trinkets as you could afford? Would you spend more time at work attempting to climb the ladder? Would you choose to eat anything and everything you want-no holds barred? How would you choose to spend your last year on earth?
In Psalm 71:17-18 an anonymous psalmist suggests that the wisest use of time is to invest in the next generation. We could put it like this: Before passing on, make sure you pass it on. Of course, the ''it'' is a reference to the legacy of your faith. This big idea resembles the vision of our church: ''giving forth truth to the next generation.'' The reason that you and I are still alive is to glorify God by passing on our faith. The psalmist's words are specifically directed to the older, wiser generation of seasoned saints.
Since we're only studying two verses, we need to make sure we understand the overarching purpose of Psalm 71. Verse 1 unveils the theme of the chapter: ''In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed.'' In 71:24 the theme is confirmed as the psalmist returns to his use of ''ashamed'' (bosh): ''. . . For they are ashamed, for they are humiliated who seek my hurt.'' The verb ''ashamed'' (71:1, 24) forms an inclusio, bracketing the theme of this chapter. It is also noteworthy that in 71:2 the psalmist uses three different Hebrew words in his prayer to God to avoid shame: ''deliver'' (natsal), ''rescue'' (palat), and ''save'' (yasha). The psalmist yearns for protection and perseverance from his enemies. He is also battling against the fear of death (71:10-11, 20), the loss of honor and dignity (71:1, 24), the loss of strength (71:9), sense of vulnerability (71:4, 11, 18), forced dependence (need for ''refuge,'' 71:6, 9, 18), and ...
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