What we do continually strongly impacts who we are.

We recognize this in the descriptions assigned to people.  We can even change an action into a title.

• One who farms – farmer.
• One who teaches – teacher.
• One who complains – complainer.
• One who gossips – gossiper.
• One who attacks – attacker.
• One who worships – worshiper.

I could go on, but I think you get the drift.  We are known by what we do continually.  Proverbs 20:11 says it like this: Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

 Our actions are often used to describe us – for good or bad.

In Psalm 71 we see some good things that David does – continually.  Even in a time of great trouble near the end of his life, he recognized that there were important things about which he needed to be diligent. They are scattered throughout this psalm.

1. In verse three, we find his desire to continually resort to God. He knew that God was his fortress, and he was determined to run to his place of safety – God.
2. In verse six, David determines that his praise will continually be of God. No matter what hardships or disappointment he faced, he determined to praise God, continually.
3. Finally, in verse 14, David sets his mind to hope continually. God had saved him and kept him through the years. Hope in God would counter the despair in his life.

Reading this psalm made me wonder.  What would my life be like if I committed to these three actions, continually?

• What if I always (continually) resorted to God?  What if He was the first One I sought in trouble or happiness?  What if I ran to Him before I consulted a friend, or a self-help book, or Dr. Phil? What if?
• What if I praised God continually? What if I praised Him when things were going my way AND when they were not? What if I constantly recognized His power, His goodness, His mercy, His provision, His …?  What if I just delighted in giving thanks to my Father, continually? What if?
• What if I set my heart to hope continually? What if I chose hope over despair in the dark times of my life?  Knowing that faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1), what if I exercised my faith to hope, continually. What if?

Remember, our actions describe us and what we do continually impacts who we are.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I want to run to God and praise Him and hope in Him, continually.

Three things:

1. Resort to God
2. Praise Him
3. Hope in Him

The key is continually. 

Life changing!

I Chronicles 16:11 Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

Psalm 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Photo Slipping Away ©Beth Mims