Has anyone who reads ever thought of old age as a life threatening condition? I really never have myself but it just occurred to me. We’re in our golden years, it could be said that we’re in preparation for our way out. I think on the last few years of life quite often as I’m advancing in years. It’s a time that we might find can be difficult to get adjusted to. The challenges against our well being, both mental and physical are greater as we advance in years.
Ecc 12:
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; 2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: 3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, 4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; 5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity.
There’s some sadness to many of our life stories, but I want to share some good news too. If we seek to walk with God we can learn to make wise decisions. There’s hope to find a glorious ending to our years…
A few years back I received a word of promise that there would be a great awakening in many elderly people. I loved that word and quickly made the promise my own. And I’ve certainly seen it become real in my life. The Lord put a fire in me that is always getting hotter and hotter. I’m sure glad of that, because it has turned my whole life around. Through Jesus I am learning by mercy and grace how to thrive in my golden years.
In old age we have a terminal sickness. And it’s also true of anyone without Jesus. He died so that we could live, if we give up our all to do things his way. If we don’t go forward in obedience to what we know we will die. It’s like leprosy, no cure possible. Sin and unrepentance will bring death. So, why sit we here till we die? Let’s lay our life down and do whatever God says, no matter how risky it looks. That’s how we save ourselves. My thoughts went to a passage of scripture in 2 Kings 7. It’s a lengthy study but here is a great story of victory for any who would want to go there.
2 Kings 7:
Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus saith the Lord, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. 2 Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
3 And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? 4 If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.
This train of thought is about the four leprous men who were hungry in the midst of a time of great famine. Israel was suffering a famine but the enemy had provisions. The prophet Elijah had spoken a word about how the famine would end.. Then the story went on to the four lepers. They knew they were in a desperate situation. They talked it over and decided that since they were going to die anyway, they might as well be brave and approach the enemy’s camp to seek food. It sounds a lot like they said , “What do we have to lose? Let’s risk it! ” So they went bravely into the enemy camp and found food and even came out with treasure. And then the story got amazing.
2 Kings 7:
5 And they rose up in the twilight, to go unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. 6 For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us. 7 Wherefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their asses, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. 8 And when these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it; and came again, and entered into another tent, and carried thence also, and went and hid it. 9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace: if we tarry till the morning light, some mischief will come upon us: now therefore come, that we may go and tell the king’s household.
The lepers went in, God confounded the enemy and filled them with fear and they fled! Long story short, the lepers alerted the king of Israel and the army went in and plundered the camp of the enemy and robbed their provisions. The word of the Lord was fulfilled! And God used four desperate men to set the victory up.
The thing I noted is that at the time they had no idea what it was they were doing! They were tools in the hands of the Master. As I studied I saw how he richly rewarded those who were used by him, and used them to be a blessing to many!
Early in my christian walk when I first heard this I was a lot like the leprous men. I was on my way out, my life was a mess and God was my only hope. I really had nothing to lose, so I gave up my life. The love of God has set a fire in my bones and He is my first love and my only hope. I’ve learned that the best thing I can do in my old age is to allow God to use me in whatever way he chooses to bring relief to those I love and serve. I want to leave them a spiritual legacy. I’m going to sit right here until I die and take the risks He orders as I go through each day.
Are you needing some fresh motivation and fire? I hope this will stir someone into some new trains of thought about their golden years. Actually, scripture does teach that you have to hate your life in this world to gain the life eternal. God looks for and calls the desperate. Those who are willing to risk all because they trust him with the rest of their lives. His love is able to carry us there and we learn that He is the amazing one! He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ever ask or think!
Treasures Of Secret Places 