Legacy

Legacy

Psalm 71: 17-18 reads thus, "Oh God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, oh God do not forsake me until I have declared Your strength to this generation, and Your power to all who are to come."
These words in the middle of this psalm are quite touching in themselves, but even more so when we consider the context and who spoke them.  We have the heartfelt prayer of a child of God, who after many years of faithful service, now has the confidence to call on Him for present help, worship Him for past victories, and with a settled purpose vow to continue on in faithful relationship and service to God. Reading the entire psalm, we find that he has walked with God from his youth through all the seasons of life.  He faced and faced down many an enemy, suffered the scorn of the godless, yet found strength in the sustaining Presence of God Who has brought him safely to this point in his full life. Now, these two verses tell us that this man knows his life is more than just a long collection of months and years. He realizes that his days add up to a Godly legacy of one redeemed sinners interaction with the divine One. What a great perspective and motivation for a christian live day by day!  If we can see that part of our maturing as Christians is in God making our lives a legacy of courageous obedience and blessing for His glory, and for the sake of those coming after us, what an impact for righteousness that would have on us. We have our struggles as this old saint did, but like him we can face down our challenges with grace and confidence in Christ Jesus our great Shepherd. Perhaps today we can consider living with our legacy in mind. What legacy are we leaving for our children? Our marriage? How will they remember us if we change jobs or move away? I trust that our legacy will be like this dear old saint, who gave God glory, and could say that "God has taught me from my youth and I still declare your wondrous deeds." May God help us to begin today to build a living and enduring legacy of humble righteousness and courage.