Never Too Old
Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. ~Psalm 71:18
Psalm 71 was written by David during the time when his son Absalom revolted against him. The tone of this psalm reflects an older believer who is clinging onto God in faith and dependence. As an older and more mature man and believer, he recognized his insecurities and weaknesses more than ever before. He did not want the adversarial situation that he was facing to be his end. He was praying and asking God to come alongside of him because there was more to do. There are three things that David teaches us about being greatly used of God as we grow older.
There is the experience of being an older Christian.
In v. 17 David said, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” David remembered that everything that he knew about living a victorious spiritual life was ingrained in him when he was younger. When we go back to 1 Samuel 16, we see how David, even as a youth, had a good reputation for faith, courage, talent, wisdom, and conviction. The many virtues that he was taught helped to make him be a king. If you are a young Christian, take advantage of every opportunity to let the Lord teach you in all things. If you have been saved many years, don’t let go of the valuable things that you were taught.
There is the exposure of being an older Christian.
The older we get, the more our times of trials and hardships increase. We are exposed to things that will either harden us or draw us closer to God. In this psalm, we see David who was still clinging to God in faith. Consider in v. 5 where he says, “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.” Throughout this psalm, David speaks about God being his hope. His hope was not in the mass accumulations that he was blessed with. Running from Absalom showed him how temporary and vain the worldly accumulations were. He had no other refuge and hope than what he had in the Lord. He was being criticized and maligned, but he kept clinging to the Lord. Don’t let the disappointments associated with getting older make you cynical! Instead, determine that these things will increase your submission!
There is the explanation from growing older.
David had faith that things would turn around. He was not sure at that moment how, but he knew that God would not forsake him. David knew that there was more to do. In v. 18, he was asking God to not write him off yet. He was asking for extended time to show this generation the strength and power of God. He could not fight the battles like before, but he had valuable experiences to share that could help those who were fighting know how God could help them. Are you living a life of dependence upon God that will help the next generation learn to lean on the Lord through thick and thin?
There’s more to do! Don’t get tired of the work of God. Keep going strong! Take everything that God places in your life as a gift to increase your experience. Let your experience be the asset that you pass down to the younger generation. As someone younger in the faith, take advantage of seeking the wisdom, experience, and blessings of someone who has traveled the path ahead of you.
Have a faith-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Job 40-42