Psalm 71:20-23

Psalm 71:20-23 says, “20 You have given me many troubles and bad times, but you will give me life again. When I am almost dead, you will keep me alive. 21 You will make me greater than ever, and you will comfort me again. 22 I will praise you with the harp. I trust you, my God. I will sing to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel. 23 I will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. You have saved me.” I came across this verse when I was doing some research on being called to ministry. I’ve felt a greater pull in regards to the calling He has placed on my life. A pull that lures me into something bigger than I thought I could do. This passage just spoke volumes to me. I’m going to break it down, verse by verse, and share how it has spoke to me.

“You have given me many troubles and bad times, but you will give me life again. When I am almost dead, you will keep me alive.” Psalm 71:20
It’s no secret that I don’t have the greatest past. One could say I sowed my wild oats and didn’t make the best decisions. Even after I found my salvation, the road wasn’t smooth. I’ve had hardships. No one said Christianity was easy. But here’s the best part, He gave me life again. He met me in my darkest valleys and gave me hope. He breathed life into these dead bones and gave me a purpose.

“You will make me greater than ever, and you will comfort me again.” Psalm 71:21
God has placed a higher calling on my life. Sometimes people and the world tries to stifle that calling or keep it contained in a little box of rules or conformity. But that purpose He has put on me is far bigger and better than anything man says. When I feel beat up by the rules of the world, it’s okay because He meets me in my hurts and gives me comfort and peace.

“I will praise you with the harp. I trust you, my God. I will sing to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.” Psalm 71:22
I was made to worship Him. It doesn’t matter whether I use an instrument or my voice. I am a worshipper at heart. My sole purpose in life is to worship Him. I can worship Him because I can trust Him to care for me. I may have hard times but my song of praise to Him never ceases because He is faithful to see me through to the finish.

“I will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. You have saved me.” Psalm 71:23
I ran hard and fast from God during my teen and early adult years. I rebelled. I did everything wrong. But those wrongs just turned into a testimony. He really did save me. He reached down from His holy throne, scooped sinful me into His hand, and whispered to me that my life has a purpose. He chose me to fulfill a calling of music ministry. He gave me the gift of music to be used for His Kingdom. I have no other choice but to “shout for joy when I sing praises” to Him. Worship is not just my calling, it’s a lifestyle choice I’ve embraced because of His saving grace.