When I was a girl, I loved to hear the stories of David the shepherd boy, young Samuel, Esther the girl chosen to be queen and Mary the young Jewish girl called to be the mother of Jesus.
It was important for me to know that the Lord used young people; they had an important role in Biblical history. The Apostle Paul even told Timothy “Let no one despise your youth”.
Then there are those middle-aged giants of faith, Naomi, King David, Solomon, Isaiah, Daniel, Peter, James, Luke and Paul. They had such strength of body and strength of character. It’s easy to see how they made an impact on their world.
But now that I’m in my seventies, it’s encouraging to know that God has a plan for the senior generation as well. The picture I used today is of the cedars of Lebanon that the Bible frequently talks about. Read to the end and see why this stately tree is an example to us.
Moses was 80 years old when he went to pharaoh and demanded that the Israelites be released from bondage. He died at 120.
“ Moses was 120 years old when he died. He was as strong as ever, and his eyes were still good.” Deuteronomy 34:7 ERV
Joshua took over for Moses at the age of 80 and led the people of Israel in to conqueror the promised land. He was a mighty leader and so was Caleb who had walked side by side with Joshua for the last 40 years.
Some mornings I get up with those little aches and pains like many my age experience. Some mornings it more intense than others – you know what I mean. But, each day I get up with praise in my heart and thanksgiving on my lips for all the Father has done and is doing in my life. I am blessed with strength, health, a sound mind, a pretty strong body and God has given me wisdom, hope and joy.
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear. He gave us a spirit of power and of love and of a good mind.” II Timothy 1:7 NLV
I’ve said all of this to encourage you, no matter what your age, God has a purpose and plan for us at each stage of our lives. I want to share with you what I read in the Psalms, and I pray that it speaks to you as it spoke to me.
“It is wonderful to be grateful and to sing your praises, Lord Most High! 2 It is wonderful each morning to tell about your love and at night to announce how faithful you are...12 Good people will prosper like palm trees, and they will grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 They will take root in your house, Lord God, and they will do well. 14 They will be like trees that stay healthy and fruitful, even when they are old. 15 And they will say about you, ‘The Lord always does right! God is our mighty rock.'” Psalm 92:1,2, 12-15 CEV
Healthy and fruitful, strong and prosperous even when we are old. We will say “the Lord always does right”. We have a testimony that those younger have yet to fully understand. With length of years comes a confidence and a trust that the Lord ALWAYS does right. He is faithful.
Waking up this morning means that God has something planned for us to do. Let’s do it with a grateful heart and begin by telling others about His love!