Continuity: The more things change...

I love the Psalms. They are so…well…human. They are full of honest emotion, running the gamut from fears to certainty; anger to love; sorrow to comfort; and doubts to faith. I read through all 150 Psalms every month, following a pattern of reading five a day, and I continue to be amazed at how God reveals himself in ever-deepening ways.

That happened recently as I read Psalm 71; a prayer of King David that I had titled “God – My Refuge in Old Age.” “Refuge” is a word David uses frequently in his prayers and songs of praise, including three times in Psalm 71. But as I read it on this particular morning, I was struck with another theme I saw revealed in this prayer: Continuity.

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary describes continuity as “uninterrupted duration especially without essential change.”

An ancient Greek philosopher is credited with the thought that “there is nothing so certain as change.” Benjamin Franklin expressed the same idea in what is perhaps a better-known quote: “Nothing is certain except death and taxes.”

In this chaotic and ever-changing world, it can feel like our once-solid foundations are shape-shifting into quicksand. That can be especially true when we watch those we love get caught in a vortex of destructive “me-ism,” shedding layers of morals, religion, and even logic as they seek pleasure and find only pain; self-fulfillment and find only shattered souls.

Continuity is the opposite of change, and I saw that concept magnified in the words of King David in Psalm 71. The Holy Spirit highlighted one word that was repeated three times in 24 verses and fleshed out in other phrases. Continually.

Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come (vs. 3)

…my praise is continually of you (vs. 6)

But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more (vs. 14)

The continuity of God was prominent in King David’s prayer, as he testified to Yahweh’s presence and activity throughout his life. The continuity of God also led the psalm writer to respond with a continuity of testimony and praise.

For you, O Lord (“master”) are my hope, my trust, O LORD (Yahweh), from my youth…(vs. 5)

Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother’s womb (vs. 6)

O God, from my youth, you have taught me (vs. 17)

My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all the day (vs. 8)

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day,

for their number is past my knowledge (vs. 15)

…and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds (vs. 17)

As I read this several times over, I was struck by the humanity of the man who wrote the words. This was the vaunted King David; shepherd boy, slayer of giants, hunted fugitive, adulterer, murderer, forgiven, redeemed, songwriter, leader of armies, conqueror of enemies, man after God’s own heart. This was King David saying these things – living these truths – praying these words – singing this praise.

This was the very human King David, testifying to the continuing faithfulness and unchanging character of Almighty God – and teaching me why and how I can do the same.

Jurassic Valley, Oahu - Photo by Dr. Stephen Chastain

                Not only does David state his determination to praise God’s greatness, he lists multiple reasons why God is worthy of such proclamations.

·         He is a refuge

·         He is righteous

·         He rescues

·         He is a rock

·         He is a fortress

·         He is hope

·         He is trustworthy

·         He acts with righteousness

·         He saves

·         He does mighty and wondrous deeds

·         He teaches

·         He revives

·         He comforts

·         He is faithful

·         He is a redeemer

·         He is a helper

David summarizes his reactions to God’s greatness and faithfulness in verses 22-24, listing what he – and I – and all regenerated children of God – should do:

·         Praise (vs. 22)

·         Sing (vss. 22,23)

·         Shout for joy (vs. 23)

·         Talk of God’s righteous help all the day long (vs. 24)

                One verse especially resonated with me as a prayer, a proclamation, and a challenge

So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might

to another generation, your power to all those who come. (vs. 18)

                This is my honor, my joy, and my responsibility – to proclaim Him, in all His majesty and glory, to whomever I can for as long as God gives me the ability to do so. And as David declares in verses 6, 15, and 17, I can also testify to God’s faithfulness “from my youth” – even when I was not.

                This is continuity. God is faithful and unchanging (Malachi 3:6). Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday and forever (Hebrews 13:8). My response should also echo David’s conclusion in verse 24: And my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long. 

That, too, is continuity.