Who Am I? A Word For Seniors Pt3

Now King David was old, (seventy years) advanced in years; and they put covers on him, but he could not get warm. 1 Kings 1:1 NKJV.

This is interesting. And we’ll close this short Brief Word series on this one.

The first thing that comes to my mind after reading that verse is this; Whaaaaaat? I’m going to be seventy years old this year. No! How did that happen? I can’t believe it. What happened to the last two, three, four decades?

Ah well, I’ll work through that one.

Different versions of the Bible use different words to describe, effectively, old age.

• The New King James Version says, King David was old, advanced in years. (He was only seventy! — I’ll get over it, I will).
• The King James Version says, King David was old and stricken in years.
• The Complete Jewish Bible says, King David grew old, the years took their toll.
• The Voice Bible says, King David was now an old man with an epic lifetime behind him.

When it says they were old and stricken in years, it means they have begun to become more fragile, frail and infirm, typical traits of old age. There are some exceptions though.

• Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigour diminished. Deuteronomy 34:7 NKJV.
• And now, behold, the Lordhas kept me (Caleb) alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now, here I am this day, eighty-five years old. As yet I am as strong this day as on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war, both for going out and for coming in.
  Joshua 14:10-11 NKJV.

You too may be one of those exceptions. We know you’re out there, by God’s grace.

But it’s sad to see a person stricken in years, as David who lived such a vital, active life. It’s hard to see our heroes like that. David as he got older just wasn’t the person he was when he was younger.

But he still wanted to try and be who he was. He wanted to go out in battle and be the great conquering soldier he once was.

• When the Philistines were at war again with Israel, David and his servants with him went down and fought against the Philistines; and David grew faint. 2 Samuel 21:15 NKJV.
• But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid, and struck the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David swore to him, saying, “You shall go out no more with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” 2 Samuel 21:17  NKJV.

In ancient times, the king was viewed as the guiding light, or “lamp,” of the nation. The troops wanted to keep David safe so his kingdom would not fall. This event is an example of David recognising his physical limits in older age.

We have looked at the statement; You find out your true identity, when you can do nothing to confirm it.

If by God’s grace and should Jesus tarry, and we find ourselves advanced in age, or stricken in years, it is then, that we need to have deeply embedded in our heart and in our spirit, our true identity in Christ. Our earlier years are the time to solidify, and strengthen, and ground the truth of God’s word in our heart, so that when we are in the latter stage of life, we will have an outflow of the word of God. Our identity as a son or a daughter of the living God will be unshakeable. That …, will be our confession.

I can tell you, it is not an easy transition to make. From being active, busy and fulfilled serving Jesus, to slowing down, and doing less than we used to do.

A big key I believe is to make peace with our past, our present, and our future. That may take some doing, and may even require some outside help and prayer. But God’s grace is with us. His ability is never ending, His presence, His power, His Fellowship, is always with us, and I believe will increase as the day of our departure approaches.

Now all of the above is not to depress us, but to equip us. Because between now and the day only God knows, (see Psalm 139:16, Job 14:5), we’ve got a lot of living to do! We do.

We can still be fruitful in these years but it’ll be different than it used to be. We’ve got a lot of wisdom to share. We’ve got a lot of prayers to pray. We’ve got a lot of stories to tell of God’s faithfulness, His presence and provision, which we can pass on and encourage the younger generations.

Between those days, the day of our birth and our promotion, we have the privilege of knowing God and walking with Him through every stage of life, and discovering more and more of who He is — His goodness, grace, love and justice. It’s true.

Old age, stricken with years, full of days; does not mean we are of less value to God our Heavenly Father. Not at all.

Here’s a good thought.

“Aging is not a mistake to be corrected, it is a season to be honoured; your finest hour. Old age is not a breakdown; it is a new chapter in God’s providence. A sacred calling.” (Adapted from an unknown source.”

At whatever age, you are who God says you are and you are who His grace makes you to be. (See 1 Corinthians 15:10). That’s who you are.

So, relax, smell the roses, and enjoy being who you are. Less doing — more being.

It’s wonderful!