Psalm 71:7 “I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.”
Becoming physically weakened by the ravages of “old age” (Psalm 71:9) and having “enemies” at every turn (Psalm 71:10), the Psalmist was “a wonder unto many”; for, his once great power and prowess now seemed all gone, leaving him helpless and vulnerable. Yet, he was steadfast in his resilience and faithfulness to God; for, he prayed “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.” (Psalm 71:8) and he strongly declared “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.” (Psalm 71:14)! His “enemies” thought that “God hath forsaken him” so they could “persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him” (Psalm 71:11). But, by faith, he determined that “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” (Psalm 71:16)! Although he was personally in a weakened state, we now know that the Lord did indeed deliver and protect and preserve him. The same may be said of True Christianity in our day. The Church of Jesus Christ has been around for a very long time, she has been beaten and bruised by many tribulations and troubles, and she may appear to some as weakened and ready for the knockout blow. But, what her “enemies” do not realize is that her strength is not in her natural appearance, but she is protected and preserved by her Almighty God, who is her Father and her Husband; his name is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (I Timothy 6:15). He is her “blessed” Refuge in times of distress and trouble; so much so, that she joyfully cries aloud, “Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.” (Psalms 18:35)! So, let us take courage and worshipfully declare, “Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee! 20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. 21 Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.” (Psalm 71:19-21)! The Lord will provide us a “refuge” till the storm is past and He will prosper us on the other side of the storm; for, “the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil” (II Thessalonians 3:3)!