life again

Psalm 71:19-21 (JDV)

Psalm 71:19 Your righteousness reaches the heights, God, you who have done great things; God, who is like you?
Psalm 71:20 You have shown me many troubles and misfortunes, but you will bring me to life again. You will bring me up again, even from the depths of the ground.
Psalm 71:21 You will increase my honor and comfort me once again.

life again

The psalmist knows what it is like to have been brought to life. He has known the joy of what we call regeneration — being born again to spiritual life. He now is experiencing some of those troubles and misfortunes, and admits that they have been shown to him by God as well. But he trusts that God will restore his life once again, by bringing him up, even from the depths of the ground. He trusts God to erase his shame, and restore his comfort.

In fact, the wording of this psalm hints at the hope of a literal resurrection.

So, we see the whole of the Christian hope reflected in its words. We trusted Christ to deliver us from spiritual death when we repented. We trust Christ to bring us through our troubles and misfortunes. We trust Christ to bring us up from the grave at his return.

Thank you LORD, for the new life you have given us, and the eternal life that awaits us.