The Bible Says

A Good Old Age
by Charlie Grier
 

The Bible declares that David died in a “good old age.” (I Chronicles 29:28). This seems to indicate that there is a good time to live and a good time to die.

“And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years. And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years: and he died” (Genesis 9:28,29).

There is one thing all mankind has in common -- all live and all die. Some die “In a good old age” -- others die in their youth. In the early stages of human history, some lived almost one thousand years (Genesis 5:27). Later God saw fit to shorten mans’ life span.

“The days of our years are threescore and ten (70 years); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years (80 years), yet is there strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Ode to Age 70
Marilyn J. Nelson

  1. is for appendix - removed long ago,
  2. is for bones - deterioration is slow.
  3. is for cataracts, but they’re not ripe yet, Whether surgery in the future, I do not fret.
  4. is for depression, not a problem (it used to be)  Psalm 18:28, Micah 7:8b
  5. is for eyesight, I put on specs, age three.
  6. is “Fear the Lord, as this prolongs life.”  Prov. 10:27
  7. is for gallbladder, I’ve been under the knife.  (July ’90)
  8. is for heart and if it stays cheerful, Does good like a medicine, forget being tearful.  Prov.17:22
  9. is for insomnia - the radio dial is set,  Psalm 77:4
  10. is for joints - mine don’t creak at all yet.
  11. is for “knowledge of God,” adding years to one’s life,  Prov. 9:10-11
  12. is to love Him and others, this ends all strife.  I Jn. 4:13-21
  13. is my mind, with Christ, above the norm,  I Cor. 2:16
  14. is for “nerves”- do you know? Jesus stills every storm?  Psalm 107:28-29
  15. is for osteo-porosis, you know!  Psalm 34:20
  16. is for pancreas, or… sugar sometimes low.
  17. is for “quietness” - where strength is found,  Isa. 30:15
  18. is His resurrection life - in Jesus I’m unbound.  Phil. 3:10, Jn. 8:36
  19. is for soul- this is purified, too,
  20. is for thyroid - a few meds will do,
    also for teeth - in ’93 dentures were new.
  21. is for “ungodly,” did you know Christ died to save?  Romans 5:6
  22. is for vitamins - wow! These kept me from the grave.
  23. is “worry no more” - the Shepherd fills my cup!  Psalm 23:5
  24. is for X-rays, but nothing turns up.
  25. is for yearning for the new body I’ll receive. This is promised by God to all who believe.  II Cor. 5:1-2.
  26. oh my, what should I zay?
       Keep the faith,
          keep your zeal,
             live in peace,
                and you’ll be healed!  II Peter 3:14, Prov. 14:30



Why did God Create A Race Of Weaklings?

God could have created giants just as easily. He could have made us so physically strong we would have lived forever without an ache or a pain. The first few hundred years of man’s existence man was stronger. Even Noah lived to see his great, great grandfather Methuselah, whose name means, “At his death the flood will come.”

God could have made us strong but He purposely made us weak for His glory. God revealed this great secret to Paul who was naturally weak in body, but courageous in spirit.

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong” (II Corinthians 12:9,10)

Gospel Gram
 Dave & Cheryl Alter
P.O. Box 3465
Winchester, VA 22604
 Go through… (Isaiah 62:10)

The 3,118 foot long Paw Paw Tunnel is considered the greatest structure on the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. Original estimates called for the tunnel to be completed in two years, but completion did not occur until 1850 – fourteen years after its beginning. Faced with many obstacles and difficulties, the workers kept pressing forward until they came through on the other side.

Life, at times, is like the construction of the Paw Paw Tunnel. Obstacles and difficulties make it seem as though we will never get through. But if we, like the tunnel workers, keep going forward and “press toward … Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14), He will enable us to “walk through” (Psalms 23:4). Therefore, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not,” (Gal. 6:9).

-- unquote.

The Big Question

It is not a matter of how long we live, or how well we cope with the problems of life. It is not whether we succeed, or fail in our aspirations -- it is whether or not our life brings glory to God when we at last stand before Him! Will the final sentence be, “Well done!,” or will it be, “Depart?” (Luke 13:25).