Introductory Thoughts
Unfortunately, some Christians have become convinced that old age serves as a sufficient excuse for a lack of service to the Lord’s work. Granted, the field of one’s service may change, but there should always remain a willingness to serve. For instance, Moses received his initial call to deliver Israel at forty years old (Acts 7:23) but did not lead God’s people out of Egypt until he was eighty (Exodus 7:7). When he died at 120 years of age, he remarked that “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (Deuteronomy 34:7). At forty years of age, Caleb received a promise from Moses concerning the possession of land in Canaan (Joshua 14:7-9). Forty-five years later, Caleb took possession by driving out the mighty Anakims (Joshua 14:10-12). Caleb did something in his old age that many of the young men could not or would not attempt (Joshua 17:13).
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Zacharias and Elisabeth served God even into their old age (Luke 1:5-7). In fact, while Zacharias was serving in the temple, an angel of the Lord made a great announcement to him (Luke 1:8-13). This elderly couple raised their son to serve God (Luke 1:80), resulting in the Lord speaking well of John (Luke 7:28a).
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(For everyone): Even as older men, Paul (Philemon 9) and John (3 John 1) continued to write epistles encouraging Gods people. You will never pen an inspired epistle, but what are some things you might be able to do even when you are older?
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How might history be different if Moses, because of his age, had refused to lead Israel out of Egypt? How might history be different if Paul and John, as they grew older, refused to write as God led them?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to give you a desire to serve Him regardless of your age.
- Ask God to give you strength each day to do His will.
Song
I WANT THAT MOUNTAIN
