God Loves Old People Too — Morning Devotions

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Transcript

It’s estimated that by the year 2066, older Australians will constitute between 21 and 23% of the total population. Now that’s a huge number of people. I don’t like admitting it, but I’m now classed as an older person, perhaps even as a senior citizen. I was born in 1950, so you work out the maths.

The months continue to fly by, and perhaps that’s your experience too. It’s no secret that ageing can be challenging. It comes with a lot of life changes. Wasn’t it just yesterday that you were running up the stairs? Marketing and media messages tell us that this is false, by the way, that life is all downhill from the age of 50. Who is saying that? Henry Ford said, anyone who stops learning is old, whether 20 or 80. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.

The 2024 New South Wales Senior Australian of the Year was Doctor John Warden, and in one of his speeches said, I think that getting the motivation in later life to change, to look after your cognitive health and your physical health is not easy. You’ve just gotta start somewhere. Walk to the letterbox, and once you walk there, you can walk to the end of the street. And once you’ve done that, you can go around the block, and after that you can do a couple of blocks. Makes a lot of sense to me.

It’s often said that older Australians make an enormous contribution to society, and that’s true. We contribute many hours in voluntary and unpaid caring work.

On the downside, seniors experience many physical and emotional changes as they grow older. That’s why for some older adults, the senior years can be a confusing time of life. I hope it hasn’t been too difficult if you’re part of that group.

As a rule, our common perception of ageing tends to be a negative one. We may stereotype this stage of life as our golden years, but many, if not most people see ageing through a negative filter, and they constantly talk about the past as if they’re afraid to talk of the future.

Here’s another way of looking at old age.

From the viewpoint of the Bible we read in Isaiah 16, I will continue to carry you even when you are old. I will take good care of you even when your hair is grey. Now this Old Testament verse gives us a beautiful picture of God’s unwavering support and care for His people throughout their lives, and that verse emphasises this idea that God is our constant companion no matter our age or circumstances.

And when we look at that phrase even to your old age, it assures us that God’s care doesn’t fade away as we grow older. You hear stories of families abandoning their parents in retirement, perhaps dumping them into aged care facilities, but God will never stop caring for us.

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His love and care extend throughout the entirety of our lives from youth to old age. Just as he’s been with us in the past, God promises to remain with us in the present and to carry us through every season of life. The Bible is dotted with examples of the aged men and women who refuse to use old age as an excuse, Abraham and Sarah, Moses and Caleb. God did extraordinary things through these older people. His plan and power was not limited by their ages.

It isn’t always easy, especially with declining health, but we will make our own lives better and those who care about us if we work at growing old gracefully, and God will help us. Some people struggle with finding purpose as they grow older. They might feel their best years are behind them or that they no longer have a role to play. However, the Bible reassures us that God has a purpose for every season in life.

The psalmist in Psalm 71 expresses his thoughts so well. God, don’t leave me, even when I’m old and have grey hair. Let me live to tell my children about your power. Let me tell all of them about your mighty acts. That’s Psalm 71:18.

And for those who trust in God, old age is not a decline. It’s a season to glorify Him even more. We don’t have to deny the very real changes and challenges that come with age. We don’t even have to like them. But I think we do ourselves a disservice if they are the only ones we associate with the last stage of our life.

I’m sure that the greatest gift that ageing to offer is the opportunity to trace the hand of God in what has gone before.

Let’s Pray

Thank you, dear Lord, that you love old people. You love all ages, but especially those who may be failing in their health. Their eyesight is diminishing. They can’t hear like they once could, and their stamina has changed. Dear Lord, may I not be the kind of person who grumbles about old age. But help me to see the opportunities that you have given me as I reflect on the years that have gone by. Amen.

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