Psalm 71:17

Psalm 71:17

Since my youth ..... You have taught me

I am reminded here of Paul’s words to Timothy. “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, lives in you also.” 2 Timothy 1:5.

Timothy and David may well have enjoyed a similar upbringing. We know that Timothy’s mother was a Jewish Christian although his father was an unbelieving Greek. (Acts 16:1) It appears that the boy had a Christian grandmother also and, as Jewish boys began to study the Hebrew Scriptures at the age of five, Timothy would certainly have been taught by his mother and grandmother from infancy.

Wouldn’t it be great if all our children were able to say, “Since my youth, God, you have taught me.” That usually means that we parents have shared the Scriptures with them. Note that we are not the teachers, God is. We can’t teach anybody anything other than facts. Facts are helpful when learning from the Bible, but spiritual truth is only spiritually learned, by the Holy Spirit. That is the incredible thing about the Scriptures, they are the only texts in the whole world that are taught supernaturally and not by humans! No wonder David said, “To this day I declare your marvellous deeds.” Timothy did the same. What a blessing if we have been taught from infancy!

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