Fresh and Flourishing in the Senior Years - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

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, to declare that the Lord is upright.
Psalm 92:13-15

Fresh and Flourishing in the Senior Years
While waiting in an airport I met Carl. He had just graduated from high school and won the student-of-the-year award. He hoped to go on to college. Before you ask why this is worth talking about, let me say that Carl is 90 years old. He showed me a congratulating certificate which said, "Your achievement speaks well of your solid determination and your intelligence."

As we talked together, I learned that Carl has something even more valuable than solid determination and intelligence. He is a happy Christian and enjoys serving the Lord. Recently he cooked a dinner for about 100 people at his church.

I am not suggesting that all 90-year-olds should be functioning like Carl. Many at that age are unable to walk or talk, or even to think clearly. But two thoughts stuck in my mind after we shook hands and said goodbye:

1) Most of us are a long way from 90, but how are we using our time and energy while we still have our mental and physical faculties? Notice that Psalm 92:14 says, "They shall still bear fruit in old age." In other words, those planted in the house of the Lord do not wait until they are old to begin bearing fruit. The time for us to begin living joyfully and actively for the Lord is right now, regardless of age.

2) If the Lord blesses a person with a long and healthy life, He desires to continue using that person for His own glory. We may put people on the shelf, but God does not. He loves to keep His saints fresh and flourishing.

Grant W. Steidl