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Day 329

Psalm 71:9a "Do not cast me off in the time of old age..."

Day 329 – Psalm 71

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age…” Psalm 71:9a

DEEP-SEATED FEARS

All of us, if we are totally honest with ourselves, have deep-seated fears. The psalmist wrote candidly of one particular fear.

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.”
Psalm 71:9

1. Fears of old age

a) These fears may have been fuelled by what the author had seen.
b) The time of old age has peculiar problems of their own:-
i) The old are forgotten if not forsaken.
ii) Friends may not be there to lend support.
iii) Even family members may not be counted upon.
iv) It is heart-breaking to see old people fend for themselves.

2. Fear of being forsaken by God

a) Fear of being cast off by God in old age.
b) Fear of being forsaken by God when strength fails in old age.

3. Unfounded and mistaken fears

Evaluating such fears:-

a) They are uncalled for.
b) They are irrational.
c) They must be brought to God in prayer so that He can banish such erroneous but deadly fears.

A GLORIOUS DIVINE PROMISE

“Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.”
Isaiah 46:4