Trusting in God - Psalm 71
- Sandra Zamble
- Apr 15
- 4 min read
A Reflection for Holy Tuesday, April 15 by Sandra Zamble´
Lectionary reading for 4/15/20225: Isaiah 49:1-7,Psalm 71:1-14 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, John 12:20-36
Selected passage for reflection: Psalm 71:1-14 (NIV)
Read
Psalm 71:1-14 (NIV)
Read 3 times. What do you notice? What words stand out to you? What resonates with your soul as we acknowledge our Saviour, Jesus Christ, and His death and resurrection?
1 In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
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, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
5 For you have been my hope, 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 a sign to many;
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 Do not be far from me, my God;
come quickly, 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 As for me, I will always have hope;
I will praise you more and more.
Reflect
As an elementary teacher, I am always struck by the poignant and passionate emotions on the first day of school. The day is charged with excitement, wonder, joy, pride, and confidence. However, for some, when the teacher arrives, and goodbyes must be said, the emotions are fear, dread, anxiety, and pain at the separation from the loving arms of a parent into the unfamiliar, structured care of a stranger. For some children and parents, tears are shed at the impending separation. Younger preschool siblings join in the passionate outbursts as they witness their “best friends” leaving them, and they cannot accompany them. “What is the meaning of this?” their outbursts seem to convey. “Why is Big Brother or Big Sister leaving me?” One witnesses the confusion on the faces of some kindergarteners and the doubt that leaving one’s comfort zone is a good idea after all. But, after the tearful goodbyes are made and the separation has been accomplished, painful as it may be at the moment, the joyful relief at seeing parents at the end of the day, over time, grows into a lasting love and appreciation of the teacher who the students come to love and trust and thus understand that their parent is still there, even when they leave to go to another strange place. They know that they have a place of safety.
In this passage, the psalmist begins with praise and acknowledgment of the Lord being his/her foundation– the one upon whom they place their trust. The psalmist reflects upon the dependability and faithfulness of God–a “strong refuge, to which I may resort continually…for you are my rock and my fortress.” The psalmist calls to mind that God has been there from the beginning, “You are my trust from my youth.” (Psalm 71:17b) But with that confidence from the past, the psalmist makes an interesting plea: “Do not cast me off in the time of old age: Do not forsake me when my strength fails.”
It is interesting to note that solid faith is at the beginning of this psalm. And, along with a hearty, faith-filled statement of trust, as we go further along in this prayer, there is room to express a heartfelt plea and desire: Please, Lord, don’t forget about me when I am old, or perhaps, weak, or fallen mentally, physically, emotionally; when my faith fails, or when I am doubtful, or when I am vulnerable.” O God, do not be far from me, make haste to help me!” (vs. 12)
What a freedom to pray exactly how we feel when we feel it. Like Jesus, when upon the cross, cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” we, too, can cry out, Lord, I trust you, but please don’t leave me when I am hurting or rejected by others. And, in that place of vulnerability and safety, we can remember the God of our salvation and conclude that despite the painful degradations and separations of life, we can still say, “But I will hope continually, And will praise You yet more and more.”(v.14)
Respond
As you reread this passage, open your heart to what longings, fears, and desires you have. Let them come forth and in safety and trust, utter them aloud and/or in a journal. Write out a line or two: Lord, I trust you or I desire to trust you. Help me when I am feeling________________.”
Rest
Lord, I come to you now, in full honesty of where I am with you. I know you have been faithful in many areas of my life. But, I ask you to help me to trust you. Help me to lie down in “green pastures,” in the safety and knowledge of your comforting Presence, Love, and Compassion. I praise you for what you have done and for what you will continue to do in me. Help me to lean upon you. Lord, I believe, help my unbelief–and draw me to rest in you. In Christ’s Name. Amen.
About the Author
Sandra Zamble is a certified Spiritual Director. Sandra works full-time as an elementary ESL Resource teacher. Sandra serves in her church as an intercessor and lay soul-care provider. Sandra is the wife of an elder and has three young adult children. Sandra loves creative outlets such as singing, drama, and poetry. She is passionate about God’s justice and compassion. She is humbled and joyful about holding space for those seeking to enter into spiritual conversations of that nature and listening with them for the ever-present movement of God.
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