Weighed down under the burden of his many years, harassed by ingratitude and cruelty, David, in Psalm 71 expresses his unwavering confidence and trust in God.

Increasing afflictions seemed to grow David’s trust in God that ultimately produced a faith that went all the way to the throne of grace. 

We should ask ourselves…

“Do we have a trust like David?”

“Do we pray like David?”

“Are we as comforted by God as was David?”

Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous:  nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exerised thereby.”

Our trials and tribulations have a purpose.  One of which is to give us just a taste of what it will be like when God ultimately brings us… “up again from the depths of the earth.” Psalm 71:20

Dig Deep!

Psalm 71:1 says, “In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust:  let me never be put to confusion.”

When I first got saved back in 1995 there wasn’t an immediate outward change.  It took some time.

I guess the problem was with me, and dealing with what people would actually think if I let them know that I had accepted and surrendered to the Lord.

It was difficult at first, particularly, as I expressed the change in my life to those closest to me.  As I grew in the Lord, and began to make some wholesale changes I was laughed at, and ridiculed by those I never thought would have done so.  They actually thought I was having some real problems in my life when to the contrary the greatest thing that could have happened took place. 

However, it took me some time to become confident in God and to trust Him working it all out.  I remember talking to my Pastor about this concern.  He just smiled and said it would all work out.  He was right.

As I grew, my confidence in the Lord grew.  And, now I’m more prepared to be used by Him.

In this instance, the word “confusion” doesn’t mean to be confused at all.  Here it means to be ashamed.  Or, to be put to shame.

In this Psalm, David prays both for himself and against the enemies of his soul; as well as, support in his old age. 

David is showing his confidence in God and asking for the grace to never be ashamed of letting others know where his confidence lies.

If you do a word study, you’ll find that this particular Hebrew word clearly addresses how the righteous will not be ashamed.

It’s important to keep a Strong’s Concordance  next to you when you read the Bible.  From time-to-time it’s good to do a word study as with the word “confusion” in this particular verse.

See verses:  Ps. 119:6; Is. 50:7; Jl. 2:26; Ro. 9:33; Ph. 1:20; 1 Pe. 4:16; and 1 Jn. 2:28.

“… and not be ashamed before him at his coming.”

Dig Deep!