Our Lord from Birth to Death

June 23

(Psalms 71:1-18 NIV) “In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. {2} Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me. {3} Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. {4} Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men. {5} For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. {6} From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. {7} I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge. {8} My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. {9} Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. {10} For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. {11} They say, "God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him." {12} Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me. {13} May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace. {14} But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. {15} My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. {16} I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. {17} Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. {18} Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”

Whether or not we realize it, God has been our source of hope since conception. We have been under the care of our Sovereign Lord since the day of our birth. And He will continue to care for us until we are old and gray -- even until we take our last breath. God is not only the rock on which we stand, He is the rock we have hidden behind. We need His protection, because when our mouths are filled with praise, declaring the splendor of the Lord, we become a target for the wicked. When God shines out of our lives, His light threatens their cover of darkness. When enemies approach us, seeking our demise, the Lord is our deliverer and fortress. We were born with a purpose in life: to tell the next generation of God’s righteousness and power. We are here to declare God’s sovereignty and salvation. We were born for His glory; let us die with his praise on our lips. From birth to death, Jesus is Lord. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day