THE PETITION

 

THE PETITION

Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth. Psalm 71:9

Reader, do you not often put up the same petition to your good and gracious God?

What could be so dreadful, as to be cast off of God?

What should we deprecate so much, as to be forsaken when our strength fails?

But the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make them his people.

 

No, my aged brother, my aged sister, the Lord will never cast thee off; he will never forsake you. Yet, you may relieve your mind by thus praying, and please your God by thus pleading with him, provided you do not suspect his veracity, or doubt his faithfulness.

Again the psalmist breathes out his soul, "Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come."  You see he is panting to be useful.

 He wanted to bear witness for God, to testify to his power, faithfulness, and love.

Blessed be God, he never did forsake an old pilgrim yet!

Blessed be God, he never did neglect an old servant yet!

Many have deserved it; but he has not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

He is faithful to his Word, and cannot lie.

He is of one mind, and who can turn him?

Let us . . .
abide at his throne,
hang on his Word,
plead for his presence, and
aim in some feeble way to glorify him; and then we may dismiss all our fears about his casting us off, or forsaking us.

Then we may sing, if we have breath enough left, " God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea: The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.

For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. Psalm 48:14

 JAMES SMITH 1869