Max Lucado writes of Psalm 70-71;

“These psalms were written as a cry for help in old age. Their writers longed to be testimonies of God’s faithfulness and useful parts of God’s work.

In the later years of his life, David looked for God’s hand just as surely as he had during his younger years. His dependence on God did not lessen with age.

Aging is God’s idea. It’s one of the ways he keeps us headed homeward. We can’t change the process, but we can change our attitude. Here is a thought. What if we looked at the aging body as we look at the growth of a tulip?

Do you ever see anyone mourning over the passing of the tulip bulb? Do gardeners weep as the bulb begins to weaken? Of course not. We don’t purchase tulip girdles or petal wrinkle cream or consult plastic-leaf surgeons. We don’t mourn the passing of the bulb; we celebrate it. Tulip lovers rejoice the minute the bulb weakens. “Watch that one,” they say. “It’s about to blossom.”

Could it be heaven does the same? The angels point to our bodies. The more frail we become, the more excited they become. “Watch that lady in the hospital,” they say. “She’s about to blossom.” “Keep an eye on the fellow with the bad heart. He’ll be coming home soon.”

“We . . . groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23).

Are our bodies now free? No. Paul describes them as “our lowly bodies” (Philippians 3:21). Or as other translations state

• “our earthy bodies” (MSG)
• “the body of our humble state” (NASB)
• “our weak mortal bodies” (NLT)
• “our vile body” (KJV)
• “our humble bodies” (NCV)

You could add your own adjective, couldn’t you? Which word describes your body? My cancerous body? My arthritic body? My deformed body? My crippled body? My addicted body? My ever-expanding body? The word may be different, but the message is the same: These bodies are weak. They began decaying the minute we began breathing.

And, according to God, that’s a part of the plan. Every wrinkle and every needle take us one step closer to the last step when Jesus will change our simple bodies into forever bodies. No pain. No depression. No sickness. No end.

This body is not our forever house. It will serve for the time being. But there is nothing like the moment we enter his door.

Are you young and looking for something to believe in? Are you older and looking for God’s hand anew? God answers both needs. Look to him and no further.”—Lucado, Encouraging Word Bible

Psalm 70, The Message

For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

^1-3 God! Please hurry to my rescue!
    God, come quickly to my side!
Those who are out to get me—
    let them fall all over themselves.
Those who relish my downfall—
    send them down a blind alley.
Give them a taste of their own medicine,
    those gossips off clucking their tongues.

⁴ Let those on the hunt for you
    sing and celebrate.
Let all who love your saving way
    say over and over, “God is mighty!”

⁵ But I’ve lost it. I’m wasted.
    God—quickly, quickly!
Quick to my side, quick to my rescue!
    God, don’t lose a minute.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Micah has the answer given to him by God; “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

What is the cry of our hearts today?  What is the attitude of our minds as we cry out?These are questions for thought this morning as we study God’s Word while listening to His Holy Spirit tell us what He wants us to know in this time and place.  We need to slow our roll of anxious words, crying out to God, with attitudes steeped in faithless fear of the unknown. Our God reigns. Our God knows you and what you are going through right now. Our God is already working on your rescue with His plan to help us in righteous and holy ways. He waits on us to realize He is at work on our behalf!

God’s work of salvation within us is a daily process that works best from our posture of surrender to His will. (Romans 12:1-2) God’s work in us is delivered step by step in His timing and in His way in order to mature our faith as we walk humbly with Him.

The really Good News of Jesus’ redemptive work is God’s Holy Spirit working from the inside out of our beings to develop His character within us.  As we grow and mature by walking humbly with Him in surrender; we began to think, act, and walk like the One we love in relationship. It is amazing in my own walk to see the transformation of my attitudes and actions when I am fully yielded to God, seeking to be like Jesus in every way. I’m not who I was; I’m different!  I’m useless trying to be a better me, like the world tells us to do but instead, be more like Christ!

I’m not there yet and have a long what to go but I am on my way forward, seeking to develop and bear all the Spiritual fruits of His holy character of “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:21-24  We can only do this in surrender to the One who set us free from our sins.

Cry out to God, no harm in honest; but then listen to God’s answer.  He changes all who surrender to His will because of His unchanging love for us. Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life that leads to a forever relationship with the God who calms our urgent thoughts with His relentless love, mercy, and grace delivered right on time—His time! Trust Him, He knows what He is doing!

Lord,

Thank you for these thought that come to mind as we hear the Psalmist cry out for help. We know that cry for we have cried out many times before when we didn’t know what else to do when we came to the end of ourselves and our resources. Help us to seek You first in all circumstance of life in faith and surrender.  We want to bloom where we are planted but we also what to mature with a beautiful, glorious faith in You—the preparation of life in heaven with you forever! 

In Jesus Name, Amen