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The Old Age that God Empowers and Blesses

Psalm 71:5-9 “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth…my praise is continually of You. I have been as a spectacle to many, but you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise and with your glory all the day. Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. 

1 Cor. 4:9 “we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men…When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when  slandered, we entreat.”

This is the kind of “old age” living that God’s grace accompanies, sustains and empowers (does not forsake!) as He helps us “father” and “mother” younger believers (Titus 2:2-5), sometimes at great cost to self. The “spectacle to the world” living that grace sustains and empowers will always grow us in living “self controlled, upright, and godly lives, as we await our blessed hope, the appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us [lived perfectly in every single way, yet willingly received reviling, persecution, slander, and the death of the cross] in order to redeem us from all lawlessness [including our idolatrous pursuits of glory, fame, ease, and comfort as we serve Christ here and now] and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

Oh Gid, how I need your pursuing and purifying work of grace because I often long for and expect my old age to be comfortable and easy here and now as I “mother” younger women. Lord Jesus, help me live an increasingly cross centered life, in dependence on your faithfulness and grace that only ever heads in one direction - toward your true and ultimate glory. Help me be a faithful reflector of your grace and faithfulness today and to live for the only glory that will last forever - Yours! Thank you for your all sustaining grace that gives me faith, power, patience, and endurance to go to war with my sin and self, and to glorify You even in suffering alongside other members of the Body of Christ in this dark and sin defiled world. Help me pursue by faith in Christ a life of faith that considers future reward better than the treasures of comfort and safety here and now (Heb 11:24-26). Help me live within the surety of the total rest and satisfaction awaiting me when I am in your presence (Ps 16:11) and help me run my race with joy today in light of that sure future. Finally, please help me to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”, remembering that my labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58) because of your perfect love that casts out fear (1 John 4:18-19); and help me live a life of faith that is controlled and compelled by your love (2 Cor 5:9). Amen 


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