PRAYER IN OLD AGE

PRAYER IN OLD AGE
Psalm 71.9
“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.”

An entrepreneur gave his life to build a company on the verge of bankruptcy to a leading company in its field. Years later, after he retired. he attended a function hosted by the company’s new generation of leaders. Except for a few old colleagues who remembered him, no one else paid any attention to him.

In old age we can feel forgotten and forsaken. The world has moved on, our good work no longer appreciated, even our name no longer remembered. No wonder, the psalmist prays, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.”(v.18)

Despite the weakening of his strength, he still wants to speak of God’s might and power to the next generation. A model is set for us by the Levites: “… but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work.” (Numbers‬ ‭8‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

When, at our old age, we can no longer do the work, we can mentor those who do the work. At that stage, our “doing” becomes less important than our “being” as we model character forged over the years. Since our God does not cast us aside, neither should we.

David’s enemies and accusers tried to turn God against him, to leave him godforsaken. But David countered by declaring, “But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more.” (v.14‬) Hope in old age will inspire praise to God, and promise for another generation.

Not abandoned but emboldened in old age.