In our society, at times it seems older people are disrespected, undervalued, and shuttled away to some corner as it were, tolerated, but not valued, neither their opinion or life’s experience. Though not true of all, yet true of some. Old age is not valued.

And this can be true among some Christians in churches where the attention and finances are poured into the youth, and in ignorance perhaps by some leaders they do not realize the Christian treasure which God has placed in their midst of older saints who have walked longer, have the scars, and who have acquired wisdom from above, leaned to walk and trust Him and who have seen more prayers answered, have known the pain of sin, its consequences, the dangers along the way, and yet have experienced the grace of God, which is greater. And yet these dear saints are often ignored, opinions not sought, the youth are not introduced and told to learn, glean from the older saints. Yet in Titus 2 we see God’s way where He has older women invest in younger women’s lives training them in Godly traits,  and also the characteristic of older men, as examples for the younger men. I once spent several weeks overseas speaking at a church that had three services on a Sunday. I began to notice that the first service was attended by older people, and hymns sung and the following service was attended by younger families, younger couples, and singles, more contemporary music, and the two groups never met. So, how did the younger women learn from the older women?

You may feel old and of no value. Let me say that is a LIE, and you are important to the LORD do NOT grow old and bitter or cold of heart towards the LORD or the things of God. But grow old and bold, the LORD will empower you as you continue to pursue Him, His Kingdom through complying to His Word…”For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”-{Read Phil 2:13};

Consider these people below… and you too join in by spending your life for the LORD!

Caleb….”Give me this mountain.”

“Now the people of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the Lord said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh Barnea about you and me. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly. So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’

“Now then, just as the Lord promised, He has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”-{Joshua 14:6-16}.

  • Grow old and BOLD in your…FAITH! How? One way is to Focus on the LORD and His Promises!

The Older Man in Psalm 71:16-18

“I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord;
I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone.
Since my youth, God, you have taught me,
and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.
Even when I am old and gray,
do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
your mighty acts to all who are to come.”-{Psalm 71:16-18}.

  • Grow Old and BOLD in your Godly Desires to TESTIFY! How? Recall His Faithfulness!

Anna in the temple-

“There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”-{Luke 2:36-38}

  • Grow Old and BOLD in your PRAYING!

You say but no one will listen to me… THE LORD DOES-

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their prayer,….”-{1 Peter 3:12}

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“- {Matt 6:6}

  • God has and does use Older people, Caleb, the Old Man in Psalm 71, who was surrounded by troubles, Anna in the temple, those who pray, no age barrier or restrictions in 1 Peter 312 or Matthew 6:6 .

 

  • To see how God would have older men and women focus and be involved read Titus 2:1-5, and see what God has for you and a healthy congregation!

It’s not what Society says but what the Scriptures say that matters!

 

Grow Old and BOLD in your FAITH, PRAYING, and TESTIFYING!

 

God Bless

Aidan,