Devotion Corner
Psalm 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
When Professor Lennox was asked what keeps him going in old age, he responded it was the thrill of telling others of the love of God. It is this simple but powerful joy, that causes him to greet every day with excitement and thanksgiving. A thanksgiving that every day given to him, is another opportunity to tell others of the love and grace of Jesus Christ unto sinners.
Rather than sinking into despair as the grey hairs advance to claim more and more space on our heads, we should be eager to share the knowledge of God that fills our heads and hearts. We’re not to cry over the loss of our physical strength and say to ourselves our days of evangelism are over. We are to appeal to the grace of God, that whilst our body may be weakening, by His blessed provision, we can show the world our faith is growing in strength each day.
One of the greatest witnesses of the power of the hope held in the Gospel, is when an old soul refuses to surrender to sorrow when old age comes to them. Instead, their eyes burn and bristle with certainty of hope that soon they will see their Redeemer with their own eyes. Their speech is rooted in testifying of the excitement they live in, knowing that soon they will home, walking golden streets with the King of kings Himself.
This is what is to animate us when the years advance on our weakening bodies. As the old poem says, ‘Old age should burn and rave at the close of the day’. Yet our burning should be with the fire of God blazing brightly still in our hearts, so that we do not slip away from these mortal days with a fearful whimper. We are to go with a certain boldness, a happy declaring of the strength of God to save any and all repentant sinners. In this boldness of hope, we shall await that day of the last mortal breath, when mighty angels come to carry us home at last. There to be received by our God who smiled sweetly as he heard our final words to the world we left behind, and He declares to all heavenly ears to hear, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’ Amen.
