How does Psalm 71:6 encourage gratitude for God's presence throughout our lives? The Verse at the Center “ I have leaned on You since birth; You pulled me from my mother’s womb. My praise is always for You.” (Psalm 71:6) A Lifelong Rescue • “You pulled me from my mother’s womb” pictures God as the decisive Actor at the very first breath. • Because the statement is historical, not poetic exaggeration, it affirms that our very entry into the world was orchestrated by His sovereign hand (cf. Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5). • If the Lord was present at the delivery room, He is certainly present in every room that follows. Continual Dependence, Continual Praise • “I have leaned on You since birth” captures an unbroken posture of reliance—past, present, future. • The psalmist moves directly from dependence to doxology: “My praise is always for You.” Gratitude is the only fitting response when we realize God has carried the weight all along (Isaiah 46:3-4). Why This Sparks Gratitude Today 1. Birth to Gray Hairs Coverage – From cradle to cane, the same Shepherd guards us (cf. Psalm 71:18; 92:14). 2. Evidence of Covenant Faithfulness – His care at birth confirms He keeps every promise (Deuteronomy 33:27). 3. Assurance in Present Trials – The God who handled our first heartbeat will not abandon us now (Hebrews 13:5). 4. Identity Shaped by Grace – Our life story starts with a rescue, not an achievement. That fuels humility and thankfulness. Practical Ways to Cultivate Gratitude for His Lifelong Presence • Trace His fingerprints: list milestones—infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood—and note how He sustained you at each stage. • Tell the story: share with family or church how God “pulled” you through specific events. Testimony multiplies praise (Psalm 145:4). • Sing the verse: incorporate Psalm 71:6 into personal or corporate worship; melody helps memory. • Mark anniversaries: birthdays become annual reminders that life itself was—and is—His gift. Living Out the Verse Gratitude grows when we connect today’s breath with the God who gave our first. Psalm 71:6 turns every new dawn into an echo of that delivery-room miracle, inviting us to lean, rejoice, and keep praising the One who has never left our side. |