Growing old is not for sissies

Wrinkles.

Arthritis.

Commercials that warn you that you may fall and not be able to get up. 

We've talked before about leaving a legacy for those who come after us. We've touched on aging and the trials and joys there.

Today, we'll begin a psalm written by an old man. 
Ready?

It's a little longer than some of the psalms we have studied previously, but my goodness! There's a lot here for us!

I'm going to post it here and ask you to stop in each day and re-read it. Or re-read it in your own Bible. We'll begin our studies on Wednesday.

In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame.
 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
    turn your ear to me and save me.
 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.
 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked,
    from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.

 For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
    my confidence since my youth.
 From birth I have relied on you;
    you brought me forth from my mother’s womb.
    I will ever praise you.
 I have become a sign to many;
    you are my strong refuge.
 My mouth is filled with your praise,
    declaring your splendor all day long.

 Do not cast me away when I am old;
    do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
 For my enemies speak against me;
    those who wait to kill me conspire together.
 They say, “God has forsaken him;
    pursue him and seize him,
    for no one will rescue him.”
 Do not be far from me, my God;
    come quickly, God, to help me.
 May my accusers perish in shame;
    may those who want to harm me
    be covered with scorn and disgrace.

As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more.

 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all.
 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
    I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
 Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
    and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
 Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
    you who have done great things.
    Who is like you, God?
 Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will again bring me up.
 You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more.

 I will praise you with the harp
    for your faithfulness, my God;
I will sing praise to you with the lyre,
    Holy One of Israel.
 My lips will shout for joy
    when I sing praise to you—
    I whom you have delivered.
 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts
    all day long,
for those who wanted to harm me
    have been put to shame and confusion. (Psalm 71)