Take confidence in the Lord

Psalm 71:1-8

This psalm is full of indications of difficulty and opposition. Yet through it all, the writer says, ‘From my birth I have relied on you’ (v.6). In the psalm we see three key aspects of what that reliance on God involves:

1. Prayer

Here is a prayer that you can pray: ‘I run for dear life to God… get me out of this mess’ (v.1–2, MSG).

2. Patience

Once you have cried out for help and cast your burdens on the Lord, the next step is to hope in him with confidence (v.5): ‘You keep me going when times are tough... I’ve hung on you’ (v.5–6, MSG).

3. Praise

You can praise God before, during and after battles you face: ‘I’ll never run out of praise’ (v.8, MSG).