Anchor My Faith

Facilitator: Stephen Weller
1,196 words, 6 minutes read time

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God Our Deliverer, King, and Eternal Refuge

Section 1: Psalm 70 – A Cry for Urgent Deliverance

Overview:
Psalm 70 is a brief but passionate prayer of David asking God for immediate help. Surrounded by enemies who seek his harm, David pleads for God to act quickly. He asks that those who seek his destruction be put to shame while those who seek God rejoice and be glad. The psalm closes with a humble confession of dependence, as David acknowledges his poverty and need before the Lord. This psalm reminds believers that God welcomes urgent prayers and is a faithful refuge in times of distress.

Theological Themes:

• Dependence upon God in times of trouble.
• God as Deliverer and Helper.
• The contrast between the righteous and the wicked.
• Rejoicing in God despite difficult circumstances.

Key Verse:
Psalm 70:5 – “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why does David repeatedly ask God to act quickly?
   Answer: David recognizes that his situation is urgent and beyond his ability to solve. His prayer demonstrates complete dependence on God’s intervention and trust that God alone can provide deliverance.
2. How does David distinguish between the righteous and the wicked?
   Answer: The wicked seek harm and oppose God’s purposes, while the righteous seek God, rejoice in Him, and desire His glory. Their different responses reveal the condition of their hearts.
3. What can believers learn from David’s confession that he is “poor and needy”?
   Answer: Spiritual maturity includes recognizing our need for God. Rather than relying on our own strength, we are called to depend upon God’s grace, wisdom, and provision.

Section 2: Psalm 71:1–13 – Confidence in God Throughout Life

Overview:
David expresses deep trust in God as his refuge from youth to old age. Looking back over a lifetime of God’s faithfulness, he confidently asks for continued protection from enemies. Though others may think God has abandoned him in his later years, David knows that the Lord remains near. His prayer demonstrates that faith is strengthened by remembering God’s past faithfulness and trusting Him for the future.

Theological Themes:

• God’s lifelong faithfulness.
• Trust in God through every stage of life.
• Perseverance in faith amid opposition.
• God as refuge and stronghold.

Key Verse:
Psalm 71:5 – “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why does David emphasize God’s faithfulness from his youth?
   Answer: Remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthens confidence in present and future challenges. God’s consistent care provides assurance that He will continue to sustain His people.
2. What encouragement does this passage provide for older believers?
   Answer: God does not abandon His people as they age. His promises remain secure throughout life, and believers can continue to serve and testify to His faithfulness.
3. How can remembering God’s past work strengthen our faith today?
   Answer: Reflecting on answered prayers, provisions, and victories reminds us of God’s character and encourages us to trust Him with current needs and future uncertainties.

Section 3: Psalm 71:14–24 – Proclaiming God’s Faithfulness

Overview:
David resolves to continually praise God and proclaim His righteousness. Even in old age, he desires to testify to the next generation about God’s mighty acts. He celebrates God’s deliverance through many troubles and expresses confidence that God will restore and comfort him again. The psalm concludes with joyful praise for God’s redemption and faithfulness.

Theological Themes:

• Lifelong praise and worship.
• Passing faith to future generations.
• God’s righteousness and redemption.
• Hope and restoration after suffering.

Key Verse:
Psalm 71:18 – “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What mission does David embrace in his later years?
   Answer: He desires to declare God’s greatness to the next generation, ensuring that future believers know the Lord’s faithfulness and mighty works.
2. Why is it important to share our testimony with others?
   Answer: Personal testimonies strengthen faith, encourage believers, and point others toward the faithfulness and power of God.
3. How does David’s confidence in restoration encourage believers facing hardship?
   Answer: David trusted that God could bring him through trials and restore joy. Believers today can have the same confidence because God remains faithful in every circumstance.

Section 4: Psalm 72:1–11 – The Righteous Reign of the King

Overview:
Psalm 72, attributed to Solomon, is a prayer for a righteous king who governs with justice and compassion. The king is described as defending the poor, delivering the needy, and establishing peace throughout the land. While the psalm reflects Solomon’s reign, its ultimate fulfillment points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whose kingdom will extend to the ends of the earth and whose rule will be perfectly righteous.

Theological Themes:

• Righteous leadership.
• Justice for the poor and oppressed.
• Peace through godly rule.
• The coming Messianic Kingdom.

Key Verse:
Psalm 72:4 – “May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What qualities characterize the king described in this psalm?
   Answer: He rules with righteousness, justice, compassion, and concern for the needy. His leadership reflects God’s heart for His people.
2. How does this passage point beyond Solomon to Christ?
   Answer: Solomon’s reign never fully achieved the worldwide peace and justice described here. Jesus alone fulfills these promises through His eternal kingdom.
3. Why is justice an important aspect of godly leadership?
   Answer: God values righteousness and fairness. Leaders who reflect His character protect the vulnerable and promote peace and flourishing.

Section 5: Psalm 72:12–20 – The Universal Kingdom of the Messiah

Overview:
The psalm concludes with a vision of the king’s universal and eternal reign. He delivers the needy, values every life, and receives honor from all nations. The blessings of his kingdom spread throughout the earth, bringing prosperity and peace. The final doxology praises the Lord God of Israel whose glorious name fills the whole earth. Ultimately, these promises find their complete fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the King of kings.

Theological Themes:

• The compassion of the Messianic King.
• The global scope of God’s kingdom.
• God’s glory filling the earth.
• The eternal reign of Christ.

Key Verse:
Psalm 72:17 – “May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. How does the king treat the poor and needy in this section?
   Answer: He rescues, values, and protects them, demonstrating the compassion and justice that characterize God’s kingdom.
2. What does this passage teach about the future kingdom of Christ?
   Answer: Christ’s kingdom will be universal, righteous, peaceful, and everlasting. People from every nation will acknowledge His rule and receive His blessings.
3. Why does the psalm end with praise to God rather than praise to the king?
   Answer: Because all righteous leadership ultimately points back to God, who alone deserves glory for His works, His salvation, and His eternal kingdom.