HABITUAL REFUGE, PRAISE, AND HOPE
In the midst of conflict, people sling words around indiscriminately, giving little thought to the actual meaning of the words. Two of the most common barbs fired during an argument are never and always. How many times have you interjected these accusations into your times of disagreement? “You never listen,” a wife might scream at her husband. “You always criticize me,” the husband might reply. These two words are tossed around, often in anger, to make a strong accusation against someone’s character. In reality, these two words are never entirely accurate and always an exaggeration. No one lives consistently enough to never do certain actions while always failing to perform others.
As I think about the weight of the words always–meaning “every time; on every occasion; without exception”--and never–meaning “not ever; at no time”--I am reminded of another word that more accurately describes behaviors: continually, meaning “very often; at regular or frequent intervals; habitually.” Personally, I like the idea of a habitual action when I use the word continually. So, in the examples above, it would be more accurate to say, “You habitually ignore me.” While this accusation may or may not be true, it is a more reasonable statement than “You never listen.” To say, “You habitually criticize me” also has a greater possibility of being true than “You always criticize me.” My point in these illustrations is not so much about conflict management, but rather concerning actions we habitually perform. As Christians, there are actions we are called to do always and some we are commanded to never do. In the next several paragraphs, I will discuss three actions we are called to habitually do. We will never reach the place where we are always doing these actions, but we can learn to habitually perform them.
Reading through Psalm 71 recently, I came across the English word continually in the profoundly instructive context of the passage. Continually is a translation of the Hebrew word tamiyd, meaning “constantly” or “perpetually.” I would suggest that the English word habitually captures the essence of the Hebrew word, as it does for the English word continually. As we all know, habits can be either healthy or destructive. Our habits are powerful, and affect us more than we sometimes realize. If we are to mature in our walk with Christ, there are certain actions we must habitually practice.
Very often, our habits develop passively. Typically, we choose what is easy over that which is difficult and requires self-control and purposeful actions. It’s easy to watch Netflix for ten hours straight. But it’s difficult to read the Bible or pray for ten minutes. Running to our friends for support is easy, but taking our needs before the Ancient of Days require patience and humility. Having a critical spirit is easy, but choosing to praise God in all circumstances takes some effort. Placing our hope in a person or hobby for joy, peace, and contentment comes easily, but hopefully waiting on the Lord requires a choice to place all of our confidence on God over people.
Doing what comes easily is rarely spiritually valuable. We might think of it this way: we readily slip into destructive habits–e.g., eating too much processed food because it is convenient, quick, and easy; or mindlessly watching television instead of going for a walk; or skipping church because it is easier to watch online in our pajamas or sleep in and watch later. Typically, the habits we allow to passively develop are destructive in nature. It is hard to think of a healthy habit that has produced positive results in my life that has developed without concentrated effort. Habits that produce constructive changes in our lives take intentionality, consistency, and patience. Habits that mature us spiritually never–yes I am confident in the word–never develop by accident. Because our flesh fights against that which will make us more like Jesus, we must fight back and habitually choose actions that will make us increasingly like Jesus.
In Psalm 71, we find three specific habits that will help us reach our spiritual goal of Christlikeness. We find these actions associated with the Hebrew word tamiyd, which occurs three times in Psalm 71. In order to understand these three spiritually healthy habits, let’s consider the three uses of tamiyd. These purposeful and intentional activities will foster a heart that is God-centered, eager to obey God’s commandments, and poised to grow closer to Christ. Let’s consider verses 3, 6, and 14.
1. Psalm 71:3 Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come.
The psalmist, possibly David, who was now an older man, understood that he could always go to his rock and refuge for strength, encouragement, comfort, and protection. Sadly, as we age there are typically fewer people near us to provide care and to help bear the burdens of life. There was never a time when the Scripture writer could not seek the Lord; therefore, he could habitually seek after God in his times of need. Looking back over his many years, the psalmist could recall the many occasions when he had sought the Lord. Each time, the Shepherd of his life proved himself faithful. No matter the magnitude of our problems, God is always (yes, always) reliable and sufficient in every (yes, every) trial and difficult season of life. While writing as an old man, the psalmist maintained his confidence in the rock of his salvation and the refuge of his soul. God is the only impenetrable refuge for us when we require comfort and protection, and He is the only one who can provide for the needs of our souls anytime we enter His presence. Rather than running and hiding from the challenges of life, the psalmist sought God’s protection and strength to keep him faithfully moving forward with his God. Where do you tend to seek refuge when trials come? During the storms of life, where do you turn for strength, encouragement, comfort, and protection? The only place you should be continually going is to the rock and refuge of your life – the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Psalm 71:6 My praise is continually of you.
Since his youth, the psalmist had habitually placed his ultimate and unwavering hope and trust in God. Tracing God’s graciousness all the way back to before he was even born, the psalmist saw the Lord’s care and protection in his life. When we consider the teaching of Psalm 71, we must note that Scripture teaches that life begins in the mother’s womb. God sustained the psalmist in the months leading up to his birth. As he was forming inside his mother, God knew every tiny detail about his life. God loved him, and cared for him. From the moment the psalmist took his first breath outside of his mother’s womb, God continued to watch over his life – as He does yours and mine. Through all of his years, the sovereign God had never disappointed the psalmist, leaving him with many reasons to continually praise the Lord, especially in his latter years. His entire life was a demonstration of God’s faithfulness and sustaining grace. As the twilight of his life hung over him, the psalmist fondly remembered God’s graciousness and provision over the course of many decades. Time and time again, God proved Himself to be faithful, making praise the only reasonable response. How often do you praise God for all His care and protection over your life? Do you habitually take time throughout the course of each day to habitually praise your Heavenly Father for His goodness and graciousness in your life? The only person deserving all of your praise is our gracious and good Heavenly Father.
3. Psalm 71:14 I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.
While the psalmist was facing threats from people described as accusers in verse 13, he remained committed to habitually placing his hope in his rock and refuge. Despite the dangers facing him, the psalmist was determined to keep his faith and confidence anchored in God. Like the psalmist, we all face troubling circumstances that wear on our souls and accusers who seek to discourage us. From the psalm writer, however, we learn that his trials created an even deeper reliance on the Lord. Rather than allowing his heart to grow bitter against God, the psalmist drew closer to Him by habitually seeking the Lord in his distress and praising Him even when times were tough. With a settled sense of resolve, the psalmist was committed to habitually hoping in God. No matter what came his way, no matter the depths of his despair, he was determined to hope in his almighty Creator. As we learn to trust and hope in God, we increasingly see reasons to praise His glorious name. The psalmist wanted to end his life well; therefore, he habitually kept his focus on God and offered Him all of the glory. When you are facing hardships, do you habitually choose to hope in God? When it seems like the world is pressing down on your chest, do you run to the rock of your salvation in praise and hope? As a follower of Christ, you are to habitually hope in your Heavenly Father and allow Him to direct your steps, even when the road appears long and unsteady.
Let’s face it, bad habits are easy, but they leave us spiritually and physically lethargic. Good habits are hard, but they produce spiritual fruit. This is the reality we face. With steadfast commitment and an insatiable desire to honor our Heavenly Father, we can learn to habitually seek the rock of our salvation and the refuge of our souls. We can also develop the habit of consistently praising our good and gracious God for all of His care and provisions. Finally, we can learn to place all of our hope on the Rock of Ages and trust Him in the trials and tribulations of life. You are building habits in your life. We always are. The question is, are we habitually practicing habits that will produce the fruit of the Spirit or ones that feed our fleshly desires and squelch the desire to walk obediently with the Lord? One way is easy. The other is more difficult, but it is substantially worth the effort. Easy never changes anything for the good. But habitually committing to trusting, praising, and hoping in God will change your heart and your life all for the glory of God’s almighty name.
Copyright © 2023 by Jay Knolls
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