Both old age and youth are beautiful in the sight of God. “Behold, children are heritage from the Lord, The fruit of the womb is a reward” (Psalm 127:3). And Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). Yes “The glory of young men is their strength …” but in contrast “… the splendor of old men is their gray head”, “gray head” in the Hebrew meaning “old age” (Proverbs 20:29). Also, Proverbs 16:31 says, “The silver-head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.” Age is not a factor with God! Abraham was a hundred years old when he fathered the nation of Israel, (Genesis 17:17); Moses was eighty when he led the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 7:7); Caleb was eighty five when he set out to take what was probably one of the most difficult territories in the promised land, the mountain with its fortified cities (Joshua 14:10-12); and don’t forget Simeon and Anna in Luke 2. Don’t ever think that because you are growing old God will put you on “the shelf”, and never put yourself there either. And another “don’t” is don’t think because of old age you have to be bound by infirmities and pain; The law “of nature” says age brings with it a weakening of the flesh, but remember God’s healing provision is not age sensitive! Because of the fall “it is appointed for men to die once …” (Hebrews 9:27); while God “takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked” (Ezekiel 33:11), (He is not the God of death) yet “precious in the sight of the Lord, Is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:5). The only reason I can see for this is not that God is pleased with death, but that it is a welcoming home for one that has represented His kingdom on earth and now their battle is over and He can welcome them into His presence! Always remember that for every sunset in the west, a sunrise follows in the east.
The Setting Of The Sun
-by Rose Hill
Have you come to the setting of the sun,
And has pain and suffering begun?
There is something beautiful for you ahead,
Even if today you must stay in bed.
God has for you a body that’s new,
Waiting over there for you.
Look up and see the beauty of it all,
Count your blessings great and small.
It’s not so bad you are getting old,
For soon you will be walking streets of gold.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. used by permission.