Don’t Forget Me

Don’t Forget Me

The focus has always been on the generations to come.

But let’s not forget the Baby Boomers and Builders.

They still have a lot to offer!

 

 

 The Psalmist in Psalm 71 is crying out to God.

It is a cry, “Don’t forget me”.

The Psalmist is now up in years

and realizes he does not have the strength of his youth.

He can’t do the things he used to,

but does not want to retire.

The Psalmist refuses to through in the towel.

The Psalmist realizes

he has more obstacles in his life

than those who are younger. 

His cry is,

God if you will rescue me

I can still make a difference for You.

The Psalmist is full of hope.

He sees the troubles and many bitter times

as a positive on his resume

and is confident that God will restore his life again.

This Psalmist’s cry is ringing out everywhere.

Men and women over the age of 50 are feeling forgotten.

Many of them who grew up in the church,

invested their time, money and recourses

to see the church grow.

They gave it all

to see the generations to come

have it better than they did.

But they seem to be forgotten.

The likes and dislikes,

the personal values, are different.

Many times in our attempt to move forward,

we forget who helped lay the foundation.

I don’t think most of those over 50,

are asking that things stay the same.

In verse 18, the Psalmist cries out,

“God don’t forsake me when I am old and gray,

I have to declare your power to the next generation.”

This cry is getting louder every 6 second

as another person turns 50.

Those of us over the age of 50

have a lot to offer

the younger generations.

The Psalmist did not let the limitations,

or the style of music,

get in the way of his worship to God

as he played his harp and lyre.

If you are over 50,

don’t let anything quench your passion

to share Christ.

Scripture Reading

Psalm 71:1-24 NIV

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame.

2 Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness; turn your ear to me and save me.

3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me,

for you are my rock and my fortress.

4 Deliver me, O my God,

from the hand of the wicked,

from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

5 For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD,

my confidence since my youth.

6 From birth I have relied on you;

you brought me forth from my mother's womb.

I will ever praise you.

7 I have become like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.

9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.

10 For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together.

11 They say, "God has forsaken him;

pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him."

12 Be not far from me, O God; come quickly, O my God, to help me.

13 May my accusers perish in shame;

may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.

14 But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more.

15 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long,

though I know not its measure. 16 I will come and proclaim your mighty acts,

O Sovereign LORD; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone.

17 Since my youth, O God, you have taught me,

and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.

18 Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me,

O God, till I declare your power to the next generation,

your might to all who are to come.

19 Your righteousness reaches to the skies, O God,

you who have done great things. Who, O God, is like you?

20 Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,

you will restore my life again;

from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.

21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

22 I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness,

O my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

23 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you

 — I, whom you have redeemed.

24 My tongue will tell of your righteous acts all day long,

for those who wanted to harm me have been put to shame and confusion.