Forever Young – In the Lord

This week I officially became old – I turned 65. This prompted me to investigate what the Bible says about aging. God promises to sustain us, give us purpose (ministry) and give us satisfaction with our lives.

Sustain: One of the challenges of aging is the effects it has on our bodies. The Bible reassures us that “though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Yehovah promises us that, “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4). Isaiah also stated, “He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.” (Isaiah 40:29).

Paul struggled with a “thorn in the flesh” but endured it because God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness;” therefore, Paul could confidently state, “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Purpose: While we may retire from our jobs, we never retire from fulfilling our commission to share the gospel and make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). David prayed “O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come” (Psalm 71:17-18).

God directs young people to learn from their elders. “Ask your father, and he will inform you, your elders, and they will tell you” (Deuteronomy 32:7). God also promises the righteous that they will be effective in their ministry “They will still yield fruit in old age” (Psalm 92:14).

Satisfaction: “The fear of Yehovah leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied” (Proverbs 19:23). Sabea is the Hebrew word meaning to be “satisfied with.” Abraham, Isaac, David and Job are described at their deaths as being sabea – translated as “full of years” (Genesis 25:8, 35:29, 1 Chronicles 29:28, Job 42:17). They died being satisfied with all God had taught them and how He had used them. These men like all of us face challenges, disappointments and struggles. But they understood God had a reason for all their struggles, “for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). God was also the source of all of their joy and happiness “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father” (James 1:17).

Ecclesiastes 5:20 summarizes these three points, “(the righteous) will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” God sustains us so we may be occupied with our ministry that satisfies us and keeps us from dwelling on life’s hardships. God makes growing old joyous.