“Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.” (Psalm 71:9)
Those who have attained a certain age, what the young call ancient, six, seven or more decades of life, are not called upon when there is a fire, when a disaster strikes, when there is a need for quick action, that is for the young, those whose physical strength is at its peak. But there is another sadness, if you will, these are rarely called upon for their knowledge, much less whatever worldly wisdom they may have attained, pride will not allow it.
Experience acquired over many years of life is of no value if it is not applied to any situation, and when the young despise that knowledge, they do so at their own peril. Look at the account of Solomon’s son in 1 Kings 12. The people were seeking for perhaps just a little relief, apparently the wisest man who ever lived was seen by some as a hard taskmaster, and the wiser, elder men who had served the King while he yet lived suggested a path that would appease the people and offer them at least a modicum of relief.
Yet the friends of Rehoboam, the new king, suggested a path of even greater burdens, which in a short time divided the kingdom.
The man who has been blessed by the Lord with wisdom that can only come from God, those who have sought for the knowledge of God, (Prov. 2:5) will find many times little difference in their lives in this area, and again pride is the reason. Those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ are wise in this area, they test the spirits, they search the Scriptures to see if these things spoken to them by others is indeed in line with the Word of God, and even when one arrives, one who has reached that “old age” who seems wise and blessed in the will of God, they are tested.
No one who desires to follow Christ should ever do so blindly.
Pride though blinds, it cares little for known truths, and seeks for vainglory even if it is expressed only within oneself, the countless religious organizations across the globe attest to this fact. Redemption and the resurrection, this is all the first century Christians needed to know, those who walked with Jesus for three and a half years were listened to intently, the prophets of the Old Testament were held in respect not because of their age, but because they were sent by God Himself.
There is an almost flippancy in the church today, not including those who have been deceived by a works-based religion, but those that profess Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father, them that remember the preachers of just a few short decades ago whose message was “Thus saith the Lord” and “Repent, ye sinners” are cast aside as relics of the past, and are no longer searched out for their wisdom. A type of “easy grace” has not just entered into the church but is sitting in the pews and even leading the worship services.
There is little fear of God among those who claim Him as Lord today, an almost casual relationship has been set in place in their hearts with Him who sits on the throne of eternity.
“But wisdom is justified of all her children.” (Luke 7:35) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)
Yes, this fear is the reverential trust and a hatred of evil, but it has lost in these days one of its greatest meanings, that God is Sovereign over all of creation.
The wiser, older man who still has the physical capability to bend his knees at the throne of grace does so on a regular basis, his heart is always in that position.
Far too many who will not adhere to the fact of the Sovereignty of God walk boldly to the same throne of grace, with a silly smile on their face, thinking they’re going to go and have a cup of tea with their friend, and perhaps a little lite conversation. He who sits in darkness and thunder (Psalm 97:2) will adjust their thoughts accordingly.
