“Old age is no place for sissies,” my 90-something mom used to say, quoting that famous line from Bette Davis. I’m still in my sixties, but even now I’m beginning to understand what she meant. All the more reason to turn to the Bible for support.
Do not cast me off in the time of old age; do not forsake me when my strength is spent. (Psalm 71:9) Frustrated by something that used to be piece of cake but now is taking so much out of you? Be like the Psalmist. Let God know. He needs to hear.
He shall be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age… (Ruth 4:15) So maybe I can’t jog as fast as I did at 20…but there is a source, a heavenly source, looking out for me. Nourishment for the body as well as the soul.
The righteous flourish like a palm tree, and grow like a cedar in Lebanon…In old age they still produce fruit. (Psalm 92:12-14) I’ve caught myself saying more than once, “I wouldn’t want to be in my 20s again.” Why? Because if anything, with age we acquire wisdom. And that’s what produces fruit.
Gray hair is a crown of glory, it is gained in a righteous life. (Psalm 16:31) Okay, it’s not just being older that is the advantage. It’s about learning from experience. Taking the right lessons. Loving the Lord and learning from God. That’s when gray hair can be a crown of glory. Take a look at my silvery locks!
So even to old age and gray hairs, O God do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.(Psalm 71:18) I love this prayer. It’s such a potent reminder how important purpose is to life. And as the Psalmist says, no matter our age, we still have this divine purpose: To proclaim God’s love for all to hear.
I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) Even at my age I feel like a work in progress. Every day offers another chance to grow in faith, to learn more, love more, trust more, pray more. None of us can know when the end will come—that’s for God to decide. Until then, we grow.
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their parents. (Proverbs 17:6) Some things are truly worth the wait. Like grandchildren. We had our first this summer, beautiful baby Silas, and we expect our second one in December, this one to be named Rick like me. Another Rick Hamlin? No, no, something even better. What glory awaits.
