I’m Old

Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-132 Sunday 29 Jul 2001

Reading: Psalm 71 – DON’T LEAVE ME NOW I’M OLD

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

Are your current circumstances difficult to bear? Pray that God will help you to trust him today and always.

This psalm is another prayer for help. Once again, we are allowed to enter the troubled heart and mind of some one who is in distress.

It seems that the writer is an older person, for there are several references to old age and grey hair (vs 9,18). He is concerned that he might be forgotten now that he no longer feels young, energetic and productive.

But he recognises some of the advantages of being older and more mature in his relationship with God. For example, there are more years to look back over now and see how faithful God has been (vs 5,6); more reasons to praise him (vs 17,22); and more experience to pass on to the next generation (v 18). Job also comments: ‘Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” (See Job 12:12)

In the psalm as a whole, the struggles and anxieties, real though they are, are outweighed by a strong sense of confidence in God (vs 14,20,21), and a desire to praise him (vs 17,22-24). This is not an unwillingness to face the facts – two sections of the psalm (vs 1- 4,9-13) demonstrate the writer’s anxiety and confusion – rather it is an honest recognition that even though God has allowed him to go through painful experiences (v 20), he will not leave him in distress, but will restore him again.

And here is another advantage of being more mature in his faith: the experience of how God has worked in his life over the years reassures him that he will not be abandoned now.

As you reflect on your life, think of experiences in which God has been there for you. Then thank him.

– Rosemary Linton

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001