August 24, 2019
Psalm 71:1-6
by Heath Davidson
Laity of Church Hill First UMC (Church Hill, TN)
Appalachian District

Psalm 71 describes the life and relationship that I desire to have with God, and when I read this scripture, I am reminded of how far I still have to go.  Most if not all of my life, my pursuits have been all about me, about what I wanted, and I never really gave much thought about what God wanted for me.  Truth is, most of the time I didn't really care.  Why would God worry about my life anyway?  Doesn't He have more important things to do?  From my childhood through high school I attended church nearly every Sunday.  I listened to the sermons being preached and went through the motions of what was expected of me at church.  Yet, God seemed like an idea and a real relationship with Him seemed far-fetched.  College was for partying and life would work itself out for sure.  I was just along for the ride. 

Sin is an unfortunate reality and is the cause of the brokenness we see all around us day after day.  The fact is, the world tells us to live life one way which often leads to sin, while Jesus shows and teaches how to live life a better way.  It is so incredibly easy to conform to the ways of this world and often times we struggle so much to change, or at least I have.  All too often I relied on myself and more times than not, I failed.  My story isn't all that unique or unfamiliar and I'm sure many can relate.  Life is full of hills and valleys and the brokenness, especially spiritually, has recently lead me to the deepest valley I have ever known.

The first two verses of Psalm 71 is a great representation of my prayer life over the past couple of years.  Even in my deepest, darkest valley, God found me.  Some days are truly a struggle still and there are some days when I feel like I have to dig deep to put one foot in front of the other.  I cling to the things that God promises me and that gives me hope.  "In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.  In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me, turn your ear to me and save me."  Psalm 71:1-2.  I have spoken the words, "save me", in my prayers more times than I can remember.  The fact that God loves me the way He does, despite all the ways I have tried to push Him aside, is beyond any understanding I have.  There are days when it feels as if the wicked one is working on me just as much as God is, but it is in God that I seek refuge and the confidence to persevere. 

My prayer for all of you today is that God will be your refuge, your rock and your fortress.  Life is a grind most days and often times we may wonder if things will improve for us or if our lives will get better, but we must press on and we must pray that God will equip us and give us strength.  We must be persistent in our daily pursuit of God even when we don't feel like pursuing anything at all.  God will answer us and deliver us as He has promised.  It may not happen overnight or even at the time we want, but He will show us the victory.  He will save us.  I am so thankful that I have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide me, that I have God to love me and that I have Jesus Christ, my savior and my friend, to rescue me.