Trivia:
Well now that we have settled the question of blueberries being declared our national fruit in 1900s by the Senate. Now we need to determine just which state is the largest producer of wild berries? Is it Oklahoma; West Virginia: Maine; Or Texas.
Challenge:
Psalm 71:18-24 "Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God, Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. 19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? 20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. 21 You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. 22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. 24 I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated."
Oh my friend, I have come to the realization that the most fulfilling ministry that we can ever have at any age is with our own children and our grandchildren. There is no more wonderful experience than to pass on the tremendous truths found in the scriptures, talking to them about the unlimited grace and mercy of our loving God.
David affirms this very realization that I have just spoken about, then He goes on in verse 19 and lists the gifts that are ours in Christ. God's righteousness which just means the right ways of God, have no limits. They are declared and lived out to the highest extent of this universe, and no one can compare His works at anytime or any place.
Next the writer goes on to teach us in verse 20 that though it can be misunderstood, God allows harship and trials, in order to help us to develop strength and stamina. Just as we gain strength in walking, running, lifting, pushing so also we gain wisdom and courage when we move through times of hardship.
In verse 21 we are reminded the great benefit of pushing through those times of hardship, one of which is the feeling of accomplishment, and the experience of honor and comfort when we come through those stresses and strains in life.
Verse 22 reminds us of the results of pressing through times of challenge and acheivement. The result is that the times of celebration are more rich and joyous when we look back to just how faithful God has been in these difficult times in our life. The lessons that have caused us to gain wisdom and understanding through them.
Also we are reminded in Verse 23 of the desire that we feel once we have pushed through those massive struggles that we have overcame and became triumphant in. (Shouting, yelling, rejoicing through) This reminds me of the song we sing at church, Good God Almighty by Crowder. In the verse we sing of the difficult times we have gone through then we are asked; Tell me Is He good? We yell back "He's Good" Then the song asks back? Is He God? (He's God) Then we yell back (He is Good God Almighty).
Finally in verse 24 David affirms the facts that God is constantly pouring His goodness into our lives even through the hardships that we experience. This is proven to be true especially when the enemy attempts to bring harm and hurt into our lives, then our faithful, righteous Father, causes those people and forces to be brought to shame and then to be seen in the light of God's great power.
SO GO WITH GOD my child of God, for He will cause you to triumph in the middle of struggles. For He is Good God Almighty. Remember at the beginning of this Psalm where David spoke these words in verse 5 "O Lord, you alone are my hope. I've trusted you, O Lord from childhood." He has proven to be faithful to you in your weakest time in life, "In your mothers womb being formed". So can He not be worthy of your trust today? Yes, because "He Is Good God Almighty".
Maine