Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Wisdom from Proverbs”
Our Bible verse for today: “The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is gray hair.” Proverbs 20:29 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Be grateful for your life.”
I have a complaint to make. I should probably keep it to myself because some of you will quickly realize that you have often been guilty of this. But then again so have I. So I guess I’m complaining about myself as much as I am about you but here it goes, “It annoys me to hear people complaining about getting old.” You ask them how they’re doing and they respond with lame jokes about getting old; or they complain about their age like it’s a disease or something. You know how that story goes.
But the truth is that every new day of life is a gift from God, and many people don’t get the privilege of growing old. In a few days I will get on an airplane, fly to California, and perform the funeral for my younger brother. He died at the age of only 60. I’ve performed a lot of funerals over the years and many of them have been for people even younger than 60. If you didn’t die as an infant, child, teenager, or young adult, and if you’re still alive to read this today, then praise God and thank Him for all the life He has given you so far.
In Proverbs 20:29 Solomon reminds us that life unfolds in seasons and that each season brings with it its own unique blessings. Young men are youthful, strong, and vigorous. Old men are wise, distinguished, and esteemed.
I remember when I was in my 20s, I was physically stronger than I am now and had more energy, but I was also often impetuous and foolish. Now that I’m in my 60s I’m not as strong as I used to be and I need a bit more sleep, but hopefully I’m more thoughtful and a little wiser. Life was good then, but in many ways it’s actually better now.
As the outer person ages, becoming progressively older and weaker, ideally the inner person is maturing and growing in stature, wisdom, and peace. Also, if you’ve done it right, the advance of the years should bring with it a greater degree of financial security and a better quality of life overall.
I think the longer you live the better life should get. Whether that’s true or not will depend more on your attitude than on your circumstances. Your happiness and contentment should be inward and work its way out, rather than coming from the outside in.
There’s an old saying regarding advancing age which I like a lot. It goes like this: “Grow old with me, the best is yet to be; the last of life for which the first was made.”
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 