Let’s think again briefly about the power of remembering and telling others of the Salvation of God that we talked about last week in our Sunday School class.
What could we tell those who don’t know about Jesus and the salvation he brought to us?
That Salvation is truth that is revealed in its fullest expression in John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Yes indeed, there is only one way to eternal life and that way is Jesus Christ. To many, it may seem unfair or counterintuitive, but no amount of good deeds, good intentions, empathy, or human love can save us apart from Him.
Even if we never outwardly broke a single moral law of God, the thoughts in our minds would still condemn us. That’s because we are all born with a sinful nature, inclined toward doing evil in the sight of God. Scripture declares that not one person is righteous — no, not even one. This is why we cannot rely on our own goodness or the works of obeying the moral law of God for the righteousness we need to be saved but we must depend entirely on the salvation God has provided through trusting in the faith of Jesus Christ.
If salvation could come through our own efforts, there would have been no reason for God to send His Son — His Salvation — to endure shame and the curse of the cross. Yet Jesus did exactly that, so that through Him alone we might be forgiven of our sins and live forever.
Scripture tells us that our salvation is not earned by what we do — it is gift received by belief and faith in the One who gave His life for us. Jesus alone is the source of forgiveness, hope, and eternal life. To seek salvation anywhere else is to deny His sacrifice because it rejects the very purpose for which He came.
You see, Jesus had to give up his life as a sacrifice for us because God is not loving instead of just. He is loving and just at the same time. Because of our sins, we deserve death because God is Just and it’s God’s Love that provided Jesus to atone for our sins and save us from death.
Another reason we must tell others about God’s Salvation (Jesus) and what it means to believe in Him is that God is actively working today searching hearts that will believe and He has chosen to work through us, entrusting us with the message of salvation for those people who would believe. It is our words and witness that opens the door for others to hear, believe, and be saved. When we share the gospel and a testimony of our own salvation, we join God in His mission of drawing people to Himself.
We see examples of this in the story of Cornelius the Centurion and Lydia of Phillipi who worshipped God but didn’t know anything about the salvation through Jesus Christ and God sent His messengers (Peter and then Paul) to tell them of God’s Salvation through Jesus Christ and upon hearing the Salvation of God through Jesus Christ, they believed and were saved having received the Holy Spirit as an earnest payment on their own inheritance into God’s Kingdom.
We often say that our words and actions reveal Jesus to others, and that’s true when we can build relationships over time. But with a passing acquaintance or a brief encounter where we might help to satisfy someone’s needs, there isn’t time for that approach. In those moments, we must speak directly about Jesus and the hope He offers to those who would believe. That’s why we should prepare ourselves—just as Peter urges us in his epistle—to always be ready to explain the reason for the hope within us.
1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.”
Here’s something short that we could say:
“My hope is in Jesus Christ. God loves you and me so much that He gave His Son to die for us so that we could be forgiven of our sins. Because of what Jesus did for me and for you too, I know I’m loved, secure, and have eternal life.”
And follow that with “would you like to hear more about Jesus and the free gift of God’s Salvation?”
In today lesson for discussion, Psalm 71 is the prayer of someone (David) who has walked with God for many years. Here he looks back on his life and says, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” And then he adds, “Now also when I am old and grey-headed… until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to everyone that is to come.”
This psalm reminds us that telling of God’s works in our lives is not optional—it’s our calling. It’s how faith is passed on from one generation to the next. It’s how hope is kept alive in times of trouble. And it’s how God’s name is glorified in every season of life.
So, as we study God’s Word today, let’s ask ourselves: What works of God have I seen in my life?
All of us who believe in Jesus can say with confidence that one of God’s greatest works in our lives is that He has granted us the very ability to believe. Faith itself is a gift — not something we produced, discovered, or achieved, but something God awakened in us by His grace. This is the mighty work of salvation: God opening blind eyes, softening hard hearts, and drawing us to His Son so that when we tell of the words of Salvation through His Son Jesus, those God has prepared might trust Him and live.
Do you see how in telling others of God’s works through us, we’re not just sharing stories—we’re planting seeds of faith and hope that can grow in the hearts of others who may recognize God working in their own lives.
In Psalm 71 is essentially David saying:
“I have history with God — and that history fuels my hope, my courage, and my witness.”
Throughout the psalm, David keeps circling back to memory:
- “You have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth.”
- “From birth I have relied on you.”
- “I will remember your righteous deeds.”
For David, remembering is not nostalgia — it is spiritual fuel.
Memory becomes a weapon against fear, despair, and the lies of the enemy.
In Psalm 71, remembering always flows outward into proclamation:
- “My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds.”
- “I will proclaim your mighty acts.”
- “I will declare your power to the next generation.”
David shows us a direct pipeline to God’s Works in his life:
His Memories → His Confidence → His Testimony
He remembers what God has done for him,
which strengthens his faith in what God will do,
which compels him to tell others of the next generation.
Let’s read Psalm 71:12-24 to see how David recalls the works of God in his life.
12 God, don’t distance yourself from me! My God, hurry to help me!
13 May those who are opposed to me be put to shame and ruin; may those who seek to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace.
14 But I, I will always hope and keep adding to your praise.
15 All day long my mouth will tell of your righteous deeds and acts of salvation, though their number is past my knowing.
16 I will come in the power of Adonai ELOHIM and recall your righteousness, yours alone.
17 God, you have taught me since I was young, and I still proclaim your wonderful works.
18 So now that I’m old, and my hair is gray, don’t abandon me, God, till I have proclaimed your strength to the next generation, your power to all who will come,
19 your righteousness too, God, which reaches to the heights. God, you have done great things; who is there like you?
20 You have made me see much trouble and hardship, but you will revive me again and bring me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will increase my honor; turn and comfort me.
22 As for me, I will praise you with a lyre for your faithfulness, my God. I will sing praises to you with a lute, Holy One of Israel.
23 My lips will shout for joy; I will sing your praise, because you have redeemed me.
24 All day long my tongue will speak of your righteousness. For those who are seeking to harm me will be put to shame and disgraced.
When we come to Psalm 71, we meet a believer who has walked with God since his youth and for many years. He is older now, feeling the weight of age and the pressure of enemies around him. Yet his heart is not discouraged. Instead, he cries out, “O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.” Even in weakness, he knows that God is near.
David’s story reminds us that God’s works are often displayed most clearly when we are weak. Standing before Goliath, a seasoned warrior towering over him, David had no earthly advantage. He was young, untrained in battle, and armed only with a sling and stones. Yet David’s confidence was not in himself but in the Lord. He declared, “The battle is the Lord’s,” and God’s strength was revealed through his faith and obedience. When he killed Goliath, the Philistines ran in fear, not of David but of God.
In the same way, our weaknesses become the very places where God shows His power. When we face challenges that seem overwhelming, we can remember that victory does not depend on our strength, but on His. Just as David’s triumph pointed all Israel to the greatness of God, our trust in Him can shine as a testimony to others that He is faithful and mighty to save.
That’s the first lesson for us: when we tell of God’s works, we testify that He is always present in our lives and we can lean on Him when we have troubles.
The psalmist doesn’t stop with asking for help, no, He declares, “I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.” Notice that his praise increases even as his strength decreases. He says, “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” His testimony is not about his own ability, but about God’s righteousness and power. That’s the second lesson: when we tell of God’s works, we point people to His strength, not our own.
Paul learned this lesson and he proclaimed, “His Strength is made perfect in my weakness”. Why is that? It’s because when we turn our lives over to him, essentially surrendering ourselves, God begins to work through us in ways we could never imagine.
Then the psalmist reflects on his life: “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. Now also when I am old and grey-headed… until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.” He sees it as his mission to pass on the testimony of God’s faithfulness to the next generation. That’s the third lesson: telling of God’s works is not just for us—it’s for those who come after us. Our children, our grandchildren, and those new in the faith need to hear how God has been faithful.
The psalmist also remembers that God has restored him after trials: “Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” He knows that God not only delivers but also comforts and renews. That’s the fourth lesson: when we tell of God’s works, we include how He has lifted us up after hardship.
Finally, the psalmist commits to lifelong praise: “I will also praise thee with the psaltery… My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long.” His testimony is not occasional—it’s continual. That’s the fifth lesson: telling of God’s works is a lifestyle of praise, not just a moment of worship.
So what does this mean for us? It means that whether young or old, strong or weak, we are called to tell of God’s works. We tell of His nearness in trouble, His righteousness and power, His faithfulness across generations, His comfort after trials, and His worthiness of lifelong praise.
The challenge for us is simple: this week, share one testimony of God’s faithfulness with someone younger in the faith or outside the church. In doing so, we continue the mission of Psalm 71—to tell of God’s works so that His strength and power are known to every generation.