Psalm 71:17-18 says, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. “
The Psalmist of chapter 71 was a life-long witness for God. As a youth, he “declared” the wondrous works of God. To declare is to make known; to tell explicitly; to manifest or communicate plainly to others by words. In order to declare such things as the wondrous works of God, there must first be a “teaching.” Psalm 71:17a “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth.” In some form, God taught this young man the wondrous works. The Psalmist learned about God as a youth. In turn, he declared the things he learned of God to others.
As old and grayheaded, this declaration of God became a “showing” of God. Verse 18 says, “O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” To show is to cause to understand; to make known; to teach or inform. In order to show or teach such things as God’s strength and power, there must be experience. Experience comes along with age. This Psalmist personally knew God. As his experience grew, he was able to teach others about God. The Bible tells that this man showed God’s strength to his generation. He didn’t end there, but he also showed God’s power to everyone that is to come. He had a true concern and burden for his generation and the generations to come. As a youth, he declared the things of God by way of learning. As an old man, he showed the things of God by way of experience.
We should learn from this man’s example as being a “life-long witness.” We may have wasted many years of our youth, but as many years that we have left, be a witness for Christ. Declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ as we learn. As we gain experience, we can begin to show others how to be saved. Like the Psalmist, we should also have a burden for our generation and the generations to come. Declare and show everyone about Jesus and His love. Be a life-long witness.
(By Matt Shold)
