Psalm 71

Jeff Foxworthy, dubbed “The Redneck Comedian,” and known for his one-liners, has a skit called “You Know You’re Not a Kid Anymore When…”

…You quit trying to hold in your stomach, no matters who enters the room.

…You enjoy watching the news.

…People ask what color your hair used to be.

…You’re proud of your lawnmower.

…You’ve owned clothes so long that they’ve come back into style…twice.

…You don’t like to drive after dark.

…Neighbors borrow your tools.

…You point out where buildings used to be.

While aging is the reality of life, we somehow try to resist it, defy it, or refuse to admit it. The satirist and essayist, Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) once quipped “Everybody wants to live forever, but nobody wants to grow old.”

Psalm 71, penned by an anonymous author, is believed by most Bible commentators to have been written past middle age. And is concerned about the prospects of old age.

Take a moment to read Psalm 71. Then consider these four positive affirmations that put aging in its proper perspective.

#1 God Helps Me Now.

The Psalmist describes God as “my rock.’ “My Refuge” “My fortress.” All of these connote the Lord’s sure and abiding presence. His stronghold. His solid foundation. His place of security.

“From birth…you have been my strong refuge.” Those who have grown up “in the Lord,” can relate to this. We’ve learned trust in God at an early age. Our faith has grown, matured and taken root in God’s promises. We can look at our lives and echo the song lyrics of Larry Trotter, “The Lord is blessing me, right now.”

#2 God Has Helped Me in the Past

When we reflect on past problems, challenges and difficulties, we can see how God has provided the provisions we needed by His good providence. Like the patriarch, Joseph, who suffered at the hands of his envious brothers, a scheming woman and a forgetful butler as he languished in prison, we can see how God helped to bring us through life’s trials.

In fact, Joseph could even say the bad things that others meant to hurt and harm him, that God used them for good (Gen. 50:19-21). What a great perspective on life.

Take a moment and think how God has helped you through the years.

#3 God Will Help Me in the Future.

The Psalmist said, “You are my hope.” And “I will hope continually.”

Hope is desire plus expectation. As God’s children we not only aspire to God’s blessings, we have total confidence in His provisions, promises and protection in the future.

Sure, getting old can be scary. Change can be intimidating. And the fear of the unknown can elicit worry. The Jefferson Park web page, listed and explained the top 10 fears older folks face.

• Losing independence.
• Deteriorating health.
• Running out of money
• Being unable to live at home.
• Death of loved ones.
• Losing the ability to manage the tasks of daily living.
• Not being able to drive.
• Feeling lonely or isolated.
• Being cared for by strangers.
• Falling or getting injured.

While all of these are legitimate concerns, if we put our faith and trust in the Lord to help us through whatever difficulties we may face, our hope will serve as “an anchor of the soul, firm and secure” (Heb. 6:19).

#4 I Will Praise God for His Help.

Like the Psalmist, we can use the experience of growing older to declare God’s “righteousness,” and His “wondrous works.” Our grace and dignity as we face the golden years can be a living, walking (or even shuffling) testimony to God’s goodness and our Christian faith.

In his fine little book, The Joy of Growing Older in Christ, Dee Bowman reminds us that “one of the joys of being in Christ is showing that He is in us. What a pleasure to radiate to others the sheer pleasures of being His disciple.”

Christians, more than anyone on earth, ought to echo the words of the poet Robert Browning.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman