Growing Old

by Jerry Bullock

Joseph Lathrop was a New England clergyman. He became the pastor of the Congregational Church of West Springfield, Massachusetts, where he continued to serve from 1756 to 1818. “Life’s Like That” today is based on a sermon preached by Rev. Lathrop in 1805. In it he urges his listener to adopt a Biblical perspective on aging, to recognize that aging is a natural and inevitable, to lean more heavily on God for grace to deal with the weakening of the body, and to maintain a positive testimony of faith before others.

Lathrop’s text was Psalm 71:9, “Cast me not off in the time of old age: Forsake me not when my strength faileth."

David’s prayer was probably written during the time that his reign was threatened by his rebel son, Absalom. At that time David was still a relatively young man and although he faced death throughout much of his life, old age was not the fear factor of his life. He sought God’s grace that he might stand as a man appointed by God as servant and king.

He wanted God’s help to behave with temperance and behavior that would give glory to God. So many who are granted years of life come to a point they think they should be allowed to do anything and say what they please. Kings can usually do that regardless of their age but nothing is much more offensive than the person who lords it over people just because they can get away with it. David wished for God to give him grace. Grace is the unmerited gift of God. Grace cannot be earned, bought, or sold. It is free and bears no return obligation. Once under grace, we live so that we reflect that grace and can, by our live,s recommend Jesus to others.

David, since he was a young man, had communed … talked in prayer to God. He had seen his prayers answered. Goliath, the Philistine giant, fell to his slingshot; a bear and a lion died at his hand while he guarded his sheep. He was delivered from the spear of Saul and a thousand Philistine arrows and he gave all the glory to God. As an old man and as his strength left him he wondered if God would stop talking to him. “Deny me not free access to thee . . .,” he prays.

The King is praying for the Spirit to work in him throughout his life, through persistence and prayer to finish the race that he might know the joy of his salvation. The Apostle Paul called it pressing to the finish line.

Some who read this may be young enough to see themselves as immortal. To you my subject today may seem foreign and I hope it is. When you are young is the time to adopt the habit of seeking God’s grace, living to honor Him, and daily talking to Him. There is a precious promise in God’s Word that He will never leave you or forsake you.