The Promises of God

Promises From God For The Elderly

Old age, being elderly, or a senior citizen all indicate the same thing.  Such a one has had a wealth of experiences having learned many hard lessons of life, and in the golden years can look back and reminisce.  The scriptures have a great deal to say about those who are elderly and this consideration deals with attitudes and promises to them.

Despite the modern attitude toward parents being called “the old man” or the old woman”, God’s word stands firm, those who are older must be shown respect.
	a)	"Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the Lord." (Lev. 19:32)
	b)	"Now Elihu had waited till Job had spoken, because they were elder than he . . . And Elihu . . . said, I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion."  (Job 32:4,6)
	c)	"Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old."  (Prov. 23:22)
	d)	"The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness"  (Prov. 16:31)

Young men are brash, and think they can do anything, but old age has brought the blessing of not only knowledge, but wisdom.  God records:
	a)	"With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding."  (Job. 12:12)
	b)	"I said, Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom."  (Job 32:7)

Rehoboam made a dreadful mistake when he set aside the counsel of age for the bravado of youth.
	a)	"And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men . . . and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? . . . But he forsook the counsel of the old men . . . and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him . . . And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men.”  (1 Kgs. 12:6, 8, 13, 14)

To those who are in advancing years God gives many wonderful promises:
	a)	“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you . . . even I will carry, and will deliver you."  (Isa. 46:4)
	b)	Therefore the saint need never pray: "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."  (Psa. 71:9)

There is still a work for the elderly to do :
	a)	"O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works."  (Psa. 71:17)
	b)	“Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land.”  (Josh. 14:7)
	c)	"And now, behold, the Lord hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years . . . and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.  As yet I am as strong this day . . . as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.”  (Josh. 14:10)

As time passes there comes a point when death becomes a reality.  Then one can say:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me:
(Psa. 23:4)