Psalm 71:17 says, “O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds” (NASB). The context of the rest of the passage is God’s faithful protection of the Psalmist. Evidently things are kind of crazy in his life, so he looks back and remembers God’s past activity, and it gives him enough reason to declare God’s “wondrous deeds” even in the uncertain present. I find this freeing because sometimes God’s work in the present isn’t so obvious in my life. There are seasons of failure, seasons of drought, seasons of sin, and seasons of uncertainty. What can I do in these times? Sometimes the key to present faith is looking to God’s past activities. I wrecked my car and God gave me two in return, I needed guidance and received a timely answer, I needed money for school and God numerously and inexplicably provided, and there are so many more examples that I started a list I call “Blessings from God.” What if I referred to this list more often? I probably would never complain or worry. This verse brings up another thought: how could I possibly suffer boredom from walking with Him? “From my youth” I have seen the wondrous deeds of God, and today they are still talked about; what is boring about that? Every moment with Him is an adventure of faith!
I think I can summarize this verse like this: The wonders of God last a lifetime!
