"The question is not whether we will die, but whether we will die in a way that bears much fruit." John Piper - Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ
Psalm 71:18 "Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come."
This verse is taped to my bathroom mirror. I want to be reminded that though we are of retirement age there is no retiring from the work of God. No matter how grey, how wrinkled, how feeble, we have a job that God has given us to do until we take our last breath....tell others about Jesus. Declare to the next generation the power of God. Living joyfully in intimate fellowship with the LORD.
Age is not a plus or minus to God. The world gives a cut-off date to when we are no longer useful to the economy. God does not. Just the opposite.
Abraham and Sarah at 100 birth a nation.
Moses at 80 leads a nation out. It is said of him when he dies at 120, "His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished." Deuteronomy 34:7
Joshua and Caleb were 85 when they led the nation into the promised land. Caleb says in Joshua 14:10-12 "Here I am this day, eighty-five years old...now give me this mountain of which the LORD spoke. It may be that the LORD will be with me and I shall be able to drive the (enemy) out as the LORD said."
Then you have Anna in Luke 2:36-38 who was married for 7 years and a widow for 84, that's 91. Let's say she was 15 when she got married, that makes Anna 106! She served God with fastings and prayers night and day. God revealed to her that the baby Jesus being carried into the temple courtyard by His parents was the Savior. She ended her days giving thanks to God.
I want to be like that! Don't you? Full of the life of Christ...filled with His love...praising and giving thanks...willing to fight the enemy with the truth of the Bible...telling all who will listen of our wonderful, all satisfying, most desirable Savior!
Psalm 92:13, 14 "Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing."
You don't have to be healthy to flourish, just in love.
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