Tag: old age
Declaring God’s Power
Scripture reading for September 10: Psalm 71:17-19 “O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim Your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might to another generation, Your power to all those to come. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the high heavens. You Who have done great things, O God, who is like You?”
Mark 16:15-16 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation. . . . and these signs shall accompany those who believe: in My Name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.””
Psalm 71 does not list an author, but from the content we know that it was an older believer who had known God from his youth. Now, later in his life, he offers this hymn of worship and intercession to be sung by the congregation. He declares the wondrous works of the Lord and exalts Him. He humbly asks not to be forsaken in old age, but to become empowered to declare God’s wonder and power to the next generation. Aging has distinct challenges for most people. We sense our abilities physically slowing down and we are aware of the battle against our faith by a deceptive enemy, Satan. This psalmist’s intercession for God’s help was answered and is available to all today.
According to Jesus Christ, the mission of His disciples was one of declaring God’s love and power to those who did not know about it. He would work with them as they were going to demonstrate and declare the Good News of Jesus Christ by deliverance from evil spirits, healing of sick or deformed bodies, being supernaturally protected and showing God’s heart of mercy. In the New Testament, Jesus took disciples from different age groups. He gave them spiritual empowerment to declare God’s power and promised to never leave or forsake them.
Father God, thank You for answering prayers from older believers that may be under physical or spiritual attack. Thank You for empowering Your people to declare your power and love to a lost world. I worship the Ancient of Days and declare Him! Amen.
“Fear not!”
Scripture reading for July 29: Isaiah 44-48
Comfort is needed when people have been through the fire of judgment or discipline. God is a God of all comfort and one of the ways He comforts us is to encourage us not to be afraid. It is said that the term “fear not” or variations of this phrase is used 366 times in the Bible. This means that there are enough verses for every day of the year–even leap year! God knows we need this encouragement. Let’s look as some things God encourages us to not be afraid of and see our hope begin to rise!
In Isaiah 43:1-3, God tells His people to not be afraid when they pass through the rivers or walk through the fire. He has redeemed them and they belong to Him. He promised to be with them and protect them no matter what the trouble. He will ransom them and redeem them and gives His word!
In Isaiah 44:1-5, God tells His people to not be afraid for their children! We can trust the Lord to pour out His Spirit on our offspring and His blessing on our descendants. When we follow the Lord and live by faith, God takes care of our kids! He is able to guide them and help them to choose to walk by faith too! Let’s say “amen” to this promise and live free from fear for our children’s future.
In Isaiah 44:6-8, God encourages His people to not be afraid of the future. He is their redeemer and is the Almighty Lord who has all power and knowledge. He knows the future and holds it in His hands. He is a Rock for those who are in fear of the future. Trusting in Him can make us truly free!
The last thing we can give up fearing is old age and the weakness and frailty associated with it. “Listen to me, O house of Jacob, all you who remain of the house of Israel, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am He, I am He who will sustain you, I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:3-4) Sounds like God can handle us in old age, too, doesn’t it? What’s there to be afraid of anyway? We are people of faith and please God by trusting Him in everything! “Fear Not!”