When I was a young pastor’s wife in my 20’s and 30’s, I had many older role models in our congregations. These special saints had been faithful through the years despite the challenges and sorrows of our present world. They trusted God’s direction and His goodness, and they were still devotedly serving Him at church and in their everyday lives.

I, (and my pastor-husband), valued and yes, cherished the encouragement and support they lovingly gave us. How I long to see them again!

Various dear ones come to mind—the balding Wisconsin farmer, cracking jokes, yet tender-hearted; the precious old Indiana couple who held hands in church, except when they held my year-old son while I played the piano for the worship service; dear Missouri ladies who “loved” on my children and us; the welcoming Minnesota saint who hugged me at our first meeting, and could outwork women thirty years younger!

Psalm 71, has brought to mind these beloved individuals, as well as many others, who we were blessed to know and love in the pastorates we served. An apt title for this Psalm could be “Prayer of an Aged Saint.”

The writer of this Psalm begins by saying he has taken refuge in God, and he asks for deliverance. He turns to God to rescue him, basing his trust on the help he has received from Him down through the years.

“For You are my hope;
Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth.
I have leaned on you since my birth;
You are He who took me from my mother’s womb;
My praise is continually of You.” Verses 5 and 6

Then, the Psalmist confirms he is no longer a youth.

“Do not cast me away at the time of my old age;
Do not abandon me when my strength fails.” Verse 9

Even at his advanced age, our writer once again faces an enemy. “Wrong doer, ruthless man”, (verse 4); “adversaries” (verse 13) are some of the words used to describe this enemy.

And yet his ultimate trust in God’s intervention in his life is evident.

“But as for me, I will wait continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness
And of Your salvation all day long;
For I do not know the art of writing.
I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God;
I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone.” Verses 14-16

The Psalmist’s worship turns into a declaration, a witness of the greatness of God. And it doesn’t end there.

“God, You have taught me from my youth,
And I still declare Your wondrous deeds.

And even when I am old and gray, God, do not abandon me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation,
Your power to all who are to come.” Verses 17 and 18

Throughout the writer’s entire life, from his youth to his old age, God has been present and working in his life. And now, as he nears the end of that life, his firm desire is to declare God’s strength and faithfulness to succeeding generations. He wants the younger individuals that are part of his life, or simply have observed his life, to understand the ultimate “goodness of God.”

Once, I too, was young. Now, I can identify with the writer of this Psalm. How good and faithful our mighty God has been to me. He has rescued me from troubles. He has daily strengthened me. He has been my Rock (verse 3) when all else failed.

The dear saints in our pastorates that I grew to love, left a legacy of faith for me and others. I pray my life is also “declaring God’s strength to this generation.”