Psalm71:20

Psalm 71:20

You will restore my life again

There’s no question that David had a troubled life. A life that most of us would choose to avoid, we often say, “anything for a quiet life!”  David’s troubles started when he was a young man in charge of his father’s sheep, and he had to fight lions and bears. From there he went on to expose the cowardice of the Israeli army and single-handedly defeated the Philistine giant – Goliath.  The following years saw him move from conflict to conflict, sometimes as a fugitive and, at other times, as the Commander of his own army. David was built for trouble, he had it painted in big letters on his heart! The miracle is, that David always triumphed, he always overcame, and he always gave God the glory. In some ways, his was a charmed life, although it probably never felt that way. 

The reason that he triumphed was his relationship with God Almighty. It was God who brought him through, who saved him and protected him and who engineered the downfall of his opponents. For this reason, David can say, “You will restore my life again.” It is reassuring to have a bit of experience under our belts, to be able to look back over a few years and admit that the only reason we came through is because the Lord was with us. And because of Him, we will overcome yet again. That is why it is so important that we share God’s power and mighty acts with the next generation (v18). 

I’m wondering if the last statement in this verse is a pronouncement of faith, in a resurrection? “From the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.” Why not? If God was a God whose righteousness reaches to the heavens, why should we not be among those who experience that righteousness in full, in the next life? If this world is all we have, then the righteousness of our Father is very much restrained. 

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