Daily Devotionals

One Life Curriculum Week 3: Saturday

*We are currently taking a pause in our usual sermon-based curriculum for you to take time to review our One Life curriculum. We hope this will encourage you and equip you to take steps in sharing your faith with the people around you!

I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. Psalm 71:15

As you consider sharing your faith with others, do feelings of inadequacy hold you back? Do you feel unskilled and that you do not have the right words to say? There is good news for you! Everyone can share their faith because every follower of Christ has a story to tell of how God has saved them.

In Psalms 71, the writer of the Psalms comes to God for protection and hope. He is in a desperate situation, needing deliverance from his enemies. He calls out to God to rescue him and then quickly recounts how God rescued him in the past. Because of the way God rescued him in His past, the Psalmist declares that his life is an example to others of the power of God. Knowing this, the Psalmist states that he will tell everyone about God’s redemption in his life.

There is a bit more to the Psalmist’s statement here, though, isn’t there? Look at the last phrase: “though I am not skilled with words.” The Psalmist is saying that even though he may not fully understand the way God works and be able to explain God’s saving power in its full capacity, he is going to share God’s message anyway, not holding back.

Can you relate to the Psalmist’s statement at the end of this verse? Do you often feel that you are “not skilled with words”? Do you feel that you may not be able to explain God’s redemption as eloquently and clearly as you would like? My friend, let me encourage you that even though you may feel these feelings of inadequacy, share your faith anyway. The Psalmist did not feel that he was always best prepared, and sometimes he felt that he was “not skilled with words,” but he was determined to share anyway. He shared his story, confident that it would bring people to Christ. Will you choose to do the same? You do not need all of the wise words and understanding in the world; you just need to tell your story genuinely and authentically.

Moving toward action

It’s go-time, friends! You hopefully have spent time writing and practicing sharing your two-minute story, the story of how God saved your life and rescued you. You have even made a list of five people who do not know Christ and have been thinking of who on that list might be ready to hear you share your faith. So, with all of the boldness and courage you can gather, share your faith with that person(s) on your list who seems ready to hear you share your story. We are praying for you this week and for your lost friends and family members who do not know Christ!

Going Deeper

Psalm 71:7-24 (NLT)

7 "My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
10 For my enemies are whispering against me.
They are plotting together to kill me.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him.
Let’s go and get him,
for no one will help him now.”

12 O God, don’t stay away.
My God, please hurry to help me.
13 Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers.
Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me.
14 But I will keep on hoping for your help;
I will praise you more and more.
15 I will tell everyone about your righteousness.
All day long I will proclaim your saving power,
though I am not skilled with words.
16 I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord.
I will tell everyone that you alone are just.

17 O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,
and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do.
18 Now that I am old and gray,
do not abandon me, O God.
Let me proclaim your power to this new generation,
your mighty miracles to all who come after me.

19 Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things.
Who can compare with you, O God?
20 You have allowed me to suffer much hardship,
but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
21 You will restore me to even greater honor
and comfort me once again.

22 Then I will praise you with music on the harp,
because you are faithful to your promises, O my God.
I will sing praises to you with a lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
23 I will shout for joy and sing your praises,
for you have ransomed me.
24 I will tell about your righteous deeds
all day long,
for everyone who tried to hurt me
has been shamed and humiliated."