Continuing this series of quoted ponderings and Bible verses about growing older. (Other quotes are ~here~ and ~here~.) Today's thoughts are from a devotional published by Our Daily Bread entitled How to Grow Old.
"While the Bible doesn't gloss over the problems we face as we grow older, neither does it paint old age as a time to be despised or a burden to be endured with gritted teeth." ~ Billy Grahamand . . .
Even to your old age and gray hairs . . . 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 46:4 NIV
When you ponder the truth of that verse . . . and the beautiful thought that He who made us will carry us even unto death . . . that He will sustain us . . . and rescue us . . . doesn't that give you courage as you contemplate growing older?
Yes.
ReplyDelete🎶He Giveth More Grace...as the burdens grow greater...He giveth and He giveth and He giveth again. 🎶
John came home one day to tell me how a former missionary lady had thrown a snowball at him (through his open truck window) as he tried to patiently explain the problems with her home’s foundation. As he sat there dripping he had asked, “What did you do that for?!” The spry 85-year-old said, “We needed a little fun.”
I love that story and whenever John would talk about it, he would laugh. Even the memory of it is fun.
Our missionary friend went to Glory not long before John himself did. This was a song that she sang after her testimony, which was quite sobering....the hardships, the sorrows, the illnesses, the trials of this life, but also the great faithfulness of God.
Oh, Vee, you've shared such touching words here today. I love imagining your John telling this story with a laugh.
DeleteThank the Lord for His great faithfulness! He is so good!
As one who is older I can testify that the knowledge that God will care for me is hugely reassuring.
ReplyDeleteI am blessed by that testimony, Elizabethd!
DeleteWell, the comment by Vee is hard to follow because that pretty much says it all and I will have that beautiful old hymn playing in my head for the rest of the day, which is a good thing! I want to be like that missionary woman!
ReplyDeleteI am singing that song along with you, Debby! :)
DeleteI thank God often for his caring for me; his promises are reassuring.
ReplyDeleteSo reassuring, Terra! Thanks for chiming in!
DeleteOh yes, I need God's courage to carry me through all the days that he gives me. I am weak, but he is strong. ♥
ReplyDeleteYes, Martha Ellen, that is so true! And I take courage in a similar thought:
DeleteAnd He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Yes oh yes! He is my strength when I am weak.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteI am so thankful for His promises and that He is a promise keeper! I love knowing that I’ll never be alone nor outside of His care!
ReplyDeleteI love what Billy Graham said. We do and will have increasing health issues or pain, etc, as we age, but we can choose to have joy, and a ‘little fun’ as John’s story goes!
I love this and love that we can encourage each other along!
As I grow older, I want to be prepared to rely on Him for the whole journey!
DeleteI never expected to reach my 60s with two auto immune diseases. My mom was still working well into her 70s and didn't really slow down until age 80. However, through the years I've learned that God is well aware of what we go through and gives grace for each day. I often think of Corrie Ten Boom, who wrote so much about God giving us the grace that we need, when we need it. Spoken from one who needed a lot through her life.
ReplyDeleteYes, Brenda! Soooo thankful for grace for each day! I often think of the scripture, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." (Deut. 33:25)
DeleteMy 94 almost 95 year old pop is so weary and is asking his Father in heaven to please take him home. He can't read his Bible anymore because his eyesight is failing and he probably is bored. He still has his mind and knows all his kids and loved ones and that is such a blessing. We are praying that God gives him the peace of mind as he finishes his days on this earth.
ReplyDeleteEllen, as the Lord brings him to mind, I pray for your pop, that the Lord will give him strength for his final journey. Joy awaits!
DeleteI am grateful for this Is. passage at this very moment. I needed this precious reminder. Thank you! ~tammy
ReplyDeleteHis promises are comforting and life-giving!
DeleteThere are good things in each stage of life. Maybe one of the good things as we age is the opportunity to trust even more in our heavenly Father's loving care and amazing strength--ours for the asking!
ReplyDeleteThat is a good point, Dotsie! "Oh for grace to trust Him more."
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