“My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection.” Psalm 71:7 NLT
In the NKJV, this verse begins by saying, “I have become as a wonder”. In Hebrew, the word wonder is translated as a monster or a frightful spectacle. I thought the translation seemed somewhat odd, but with some further reading in commentaries and thinking about this translation, it began to make sense to me.
As believers in Christ, we live by faith, we do not seek earthly possessions, and we deny ourselves to the point of suffering; and this all so that we will join our Saviour in His Kingdom for eternity. Wait, what?!? We need to live by faith and not take situations into our own hands? I thought the point of working was to make as much money as possible so that we can have an easy retirement? And deny ourselves so we can suffer?
To the nonbeliever, we can appear as a monster or a frightful spectacle. It is scary to give up what we have and want, and their initial thought may be that this is something to avoid. At first glance, this lifestyle may appear undesirable and hard to comprehend – making it a wonder as to why we would choose this path.
This verse stood out to me because it reminded me that our lives should look different. The life of a believer is not easy and we can not accomplish this on our own. For it is only with the help of God who is our strength, our protector, and our refuge in all things.
Lock Your Wings 
Great thoughts.
This verse also speaks to that: “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.”
Psalms 71:20 NLT
Why would a loving God ‘allow’ us to suffer? Why would we praise a God who allows suffering to happen? But it is in our suffering that we often come to rely on God in a way that would not be possible without suffering. Also, to experience suffering magnifies the joy after the suffering. This may seem like a monster or a frightful spectacle to some but it is comforting to know God is bigger than any monster or hardship or frightening spectacle and He will restore us and lift us up if we allow Him to.
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