Our culture is impressed upon being young and keeping aging at bay. It is pressed upon us from all angles of life. Sadly too often we view “gray-headed seniors” as both a financial burden and a care to society rather than a trove of wisdom. The elder psalmist rises to speak to us about how you and I can learn to live a godly life to the fullest. As Jesus said “he who has ears to hear better listen.”
The elder psalmist advises us to begin early now cultivating habits of hungering and thirsting for righteousness for this is where you will find true satisfaction. See life as an opportunity to study to show yourself approved and to establish a life of prayer. As you do all of this cultivate a life of praise and joy. See retirement not as a stage of “R&R” but a stage of opportunities to serve. We should see “rest” as what we will do in eternity not now. President John F Kennedy is remembered for this saying: “”ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Believers need to be asking not what others can do for us but what we can do for our church, our community, and our families. Steven Cole boldly challenges us with this statement: “If you’re not involved in some kind of Christian service, you’re too self-centered.”
Remember this is the time to prepare so we can proclaim to the next generation. Are we doing it?
Steven Cole: https://bible.org/seriespage/psalm-71-growing-old-god%E2%80%99s-way