The word ‘resort’ here is
‘bow’ in Hebrew, which means 'to enter in, to run towards, to fall
on (Him), to abide in, to confide in (to entrust something to someone for
safekeeping)'.
Psalm 71 is a psalm of refuge for
those who are in a time of affliction and trouble. David penned this psalm in
his old age, at a very difficult time of his life when his own son (Absalom)
betrayed and rebelled against him (see 2 Samuel 15:1-14).
Are you also currently in a
situation where you just do not know what to do (or how to go about) anymore?
It may be a lingering health problem, a family feud that seems to have no
solution, or a very tricky issue in your workplace. Or it may be your finance
or your future, and you find yourself staring at a dead-end. It may even be a
very hurting betrayal of friendship or trust. Or you simply have lost hope in
life.
Whatever your situation may be at the moment, I
pray for the strength and sustenance of the Lord to be with you, and may you
find refuge and encouragement through this psalm.
The expression "Be my strong refuge" is
translated as "Be my rock of refuge" in King
James Version (KJV). 'Rock' speaks of something 'unshakeable', in
contrast to 'shifting sands'. The word 'refuge' here is 'makhaseh' in
Hebrew, which means 'a shelter, a place of hope, a place of trust, a hiding
place'.
In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus says,
"Therefore whoever hears these sayings (i.e. commandments
or instructions) of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who
built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the
floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not
fall, for it was founded on the rock."
'House' here speaks of you, your life,
your household, your ministry, or the things that you set out to do. Notice
the words "and it did not fall"?
Back to Psalm
71:3 now. The word 'commandment' here is 'tsavah' in Hebrew, which
speaks of 'an instruction (or a message) that puts (sets) things in order', and the word 'save' here is
'yasha' in Hebrew, meaning 'save, set free, help, avenge (fight for you),
deliver, defend, rescue, get victory'.
In Psalm 71:1-2, David wrote, 'In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be put to shame.
Deliver me in Your righteousness, and cause me to escape;
Incline Your ear to me, and save me'.
'To escape’ here is 'pawlat' in Hebrew,
which means 'to slip out, to be carried away safely, or to be delivered
(from the affliction or trouble)'.
Let’s look at another example of how the Lord gave
a ‘commandment’ (‘tsavah’) that saved a sticky situation. When
Moses came to a ‘dead-end’ with no way of escape in sight, he looked
to the Lord his God and put his trust in Him.
He then said to the Israelites, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
He then said to the Israelites, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13-14)
That's when the Lord gave His ‘tsavah’ to save
(‘yasha’) the situation: “Lift up your rod and stretch out your hand over the
sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through
the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 14:16)
Is there anything impossible to the Lord?
Is there anything impossible to the Lord?
The Word of God says He is still the same God today as He was those days (Hebrews 13:8), and therefore He can also make a way of escape for you too, no matter what affliction or trouble you
may be facing at the moment.
Man or organization may fail you, but He cannot and will not fail you, because He loves you. And when there's no one else you can turn to, know that He is (and will always be) here for you - your rock of refuge, your shelter, your place of hope, your place of trust, your hiding place. Take heart.
May you see the light at the end of the tunnel real soon. This is my sincere prayer for you today. Amen.
Man or organization may fail you, but He cannot and will not fail you, because He loves you. And when there's no one else you can turn to, know that He is (and will always be) here for you - your rock of refuge, your shelter, your place of hope, your place of trust, your hiding place. Take heart.
May you see the light at the end of the tunnel real soon. This is my sincere prayer for you today. Amen.
