INCREASED GREATNESS AND ABUNDANT COMFORT

WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL

JANUARY 08, 2023

TOPIC: INCREASED GREATNESS AND ABUNDANT COMFORT

 BY T. O. BANSO

“You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side” (Psalm 71:21 New King James Version).

The Bible does not indicate the author of Psalm 71, just as the authors of some psalms are not stated. But some Bible scholars or commentators ascribe the authorship of Psalm 71 to David. They believe that he received the psalm during the rebellion against him by his son, Absalom, who dethroned him and David had to flee from Jerusalem.

Thereafter, the rebellion was quashed, and, in the process, Absalom was killed as ordered by Joab, the commander of David’s army. Nevertheless, there is no information in the psalm that clearly says that David wrote the psalm.

The psalm is a plea for God’s help in old age, as the writer describes himself as old (verses 9, 18). The psalmist introduces the psalm by expressing his trust in God and calling for His deliverance (verses 1-2). The psalm shows that the writer was going through some troubles and needed God’s intervention to bring him back to his former position. Verse 20 says, “You, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth” (New King James Version).

The psalm continues in verse 21: “You shall increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side” (Psalm 71:21 New King James Version). Just like the psalmist, some people may have gone through some troubles in the past few months or even years. They may have suffered some setbacks in life. They need to express their trust in God the way the psalmist did, saying that God shall increase his greatness, and comfort him on every side.

If indeed David wrote this psalm, God did not disappoint him for putting his trust in Him. He restored him to the throne and made all the tribes of Israel support him. God surrounded him with comfort after his past suffering. Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5b).

Instead of his shame, David received double honour, as Isaiah 61:7 says. He regained his throne. His greatness was increased, and he had comfort on every side. Psalm 126:6 says, “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (New King James Version).

The English Standard Version puts Psalm 71:21 thus: “You will increase my greatness and comfort me again.” Also, the New Century Version says it like this: “You will make me greater than ever, and you will comfort me again.”

David ended his life not as a humiliated man, but as a greatly honoured man. Even the Messiah was described as the Son of David because he was born in the line of David. David died at a ripe old age; he enjoyed a long life. He died in honour, not in shame. He died rich, not poor. 1 Chronicles 29:28 says, “So he died in a good old age, full of days and riches and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his place” (New King James Version). His story could, probably, have been different if he was not restored to the throne.

Whether David wrote Psalm 71 or not, my prayer for you is that God will increase your greatness and comfort you on every side. Whatever has made you weep before or until now, God will put a stop to it, give you joy, and increase your joy. Whatever has continued to bring shame to you, God will remove it, clothe you with the garment of honour and increase your honour. The New English Translation Bible renders Psalm 71:21 this way: “Raise me to a position of great honor! Turn and comfort me!” 2 Samuel 23:1b describes David as “the man raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel” (New King James Version).

God is a God of increase and will increase you. Paul said he planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. God will increase your greatness as the psalmist said. “May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children” (Psalm 115:14 New King James Version). Luke 2:52 says Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. God will increase your greatness.

You may have suffered setbacks in life but the God of restoration will visit you and restore you. He will increase your greatness or honour. The New Living Translation puts it thus: “You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again” (Psalm 71:21). God will restore your glory or honour, and even increase it. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream” (Psalm 126:1English Standard Version). The Israelites laughed and sang for joy and other nations saw what the Lord had done for them and began to say, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them” (The Living Bible Psalm 126:2b).

God will do amazing things for you. He will increase your greatness and comfort you on every side. The phrase “and comfort me on every side” used by the psalmist, according to John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, denotes “the abundance of comfort, which should come as it were from every quarter, and encompass him about.” God will cause you to enjoy the abundance of comfort in place of discomfort, distress, or trouble. “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ Says your God. ‘Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended’” (Isaiah 40:1-21 New King James Version). The Lord will give you the victory that will end your current warfare. He will give you comfort in abundance.

David prayed in Psalm 86:17, “Show me a sign for good, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, LORD, have helped me and comforted me” (New King James Version). This shall be your testimony. God will help me and comfort you. He will give you abundant comfort. People will see that God has turned to you and surrounded you with comfort.

Isaiah 49:13 says, “Sing, O heavens! Be joyful, O earth! And break out in singing, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted His people, and will have mercy on His afflicted” (New King James Version). God shall comfort you and have mercy on you. His rod and staff will comfort you (Psalm 23:4). “And in that day you will say: ‘O LORD, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me’” (Isaiah 12:1 New King James Version).

You may have enjoyed some greatness or comfort before now, but God will move you to a higher level. This year, you will enjoy increased greatness and abundant comfort.

TAKE ACTION!

If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.

Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself.  I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.

I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.

PRAYER POINTS: Father, increase my greatness and comfort me on every side. Cause me to enjoy increased greatness and abundant comfort. Raise me to a position of great honor; turn and comfort me.

(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).

T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org