“The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” (Psalm 92:12-14, NKJV)
The world we live in contains events over which we have absolutely no control. One of those events is the event of getting older or as those who choose to speak in a politically-correct tone would say, ‘we are maturing in age.’
Call it what you will, the Bible is clear that not only are our “days numbered” … they are also to be lived in a certain way … with a certain desire … and with a determined goal … Heaven!
In the process of living … it can and does become more difficult to do the things you used to be able to do. In the process of living … it can and does become more difficult to think or act as quickly and decisively as you once did!
Solomon certainly doesn’t hold back as he described by inspiration what happens as we get older (Ecclesiastes 11:5-8) … and it is not such a pretty picture!
Yet, if by God’s grace and mercy, our numbered days include the grey-headed or white-headed … or no-hair-for-us-men … we can still live productive lives! Or can we?
So, when is too old too old? C.S. Lewis penned these thoughts, “You are never too old to set another goal or dream a new dream.” Do we really believe this is possible?
The world may say it is time for “Happy Acres” … just take it easy and don’t overdo anything. The devil may say among other things, there’s really nothing you can do or are even qualified to do except live out your days and wait to die!
Can God’s older generations still be motivated to be active, useful, significant and important in the Kingdom? The answer from His Book is a resounding “Yes!”
The admonition recorded by the Apostle Peter is not restricted to any particular generation of God’s people. Yes, it is almost like a clean slate for those new in the faith, but doesn’t the need to grow and keep growing in our faith and service to God need to be practiced through the entirety of our lives?
Granted those who are older in days … in age … cannot be expected by self or others to do more than they can do or as much as they have been able to do in the past! But for sure, as our text reads, “…they shall STILL bear fruit in old age …”
What once included physical and other services in the Kingdom are much more difficult to accomplish … but through life, days and experience comes the valuable commodity of wisdom! You see, wisdom of years should replace the energy of youth! And there is plenty of room in the Kingdom for both!
When is too old too old? None of us really knows the precise answer, but this we should know, as we continue to be blessed with a new day, may we seek to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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