Psalm 71:5-9, 14-18 (NLT) O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. … But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. 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.
The phrase, words fail me, apparently showed up in general use around the mid 1900’s. In my research I could not find an individual author credited with penning these words. The words are classified as an IDIOM (i.e., a group of words having a meaning which differs from the meaning of the individual words used). This particular idiom, words fail me, is used whenever one cannot think of what words to say in any given situation.
Sometimes when a dear friend or loved one suffers with health issues, we cannot think of what to say. The growing list of people suffering from cancer, the effects of aging, and other serious long-term illnesses seems at times overwhelming. We rejoice in small victories of daily strength, and we thank our Heavenly Father for his mercy, comfort, and love. But what can we say to these dear individuals who are the ones having to do the “enduring” part? How do we encourage them? Words fail me.
When words fail me, I turn to the Bible because God’s Word will NEVER fail. I see so much in our text today. In the midst of aging, King David cries out to God for comfort—yes—but there is more. Notice all the words of praise and thanksgiving? Ahhh, but notice something else! King David is not finished with life even though life within him seems to be finishing. King David still has a few jobs left to accomplish:
· I am always praising God· My life is an example to many
· I can never stop praising God
· I declare God’s glory all day long
· I will keep hoping for God’s help
· I will praise God more and more
· I will tell everyone about God’s righteousness
· I will proclaim God’s saving power
· I will proclaim God’s mighty deeds
· I will tell everyone that God alone is just
· I will constantly tell others about the wonderful things God does
· Let me proclaim God’s power to this new generation
· Let me proclaim God’s mighty miracles to all who come after me
When my time comes to endure the aging process and my strength begins to ebb, how I pray that I might still have a job description similar to King David’s! Words may fail, and strength may fail, but I will close with another one of my favorite hymns:
Jesus Never Fails (A.A. Luther)
Earthly friends may prove untrue, doubts and fears assail;
One still loves and cares for you; One who will not fail.
Tho’ the sky be dark and drear, fierce and strong the gale’
Just remember He is near, and He will not fail.
In life’s dark and bitter hour love will still prevail;
Trust His everlasting pow’r, Jesus will not fail.
Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails;
Heav’n and earth may pass away but Jesus never fails.
Gracious Heavenly Father,
When words fail us, remind us to turn to you, for you will never fail. Give us the words to encourage others in their time of life’s challenges. May we always praise your Name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
The devotional Words Fail Me appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com
(revised from July 7, 2016)
email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com
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