THE ELDERLY

                                                          THE ELDERLY: BACKBONE OF AMERICA

                                                                   THE UNPRODUCTIVE ? ELDERLY

     In a society that practically idolizes youthfulness, vigor and extreme physical fitness, the elderly often are viewed as though they are some outdated piece of machinery, fit only to be put on a shelf until it's time for them to depart from this life. Some view the elderly as a hindrance or an obstacle to progress, and a burden to society, especially in a financial sense.
     Some members of the Christian elderly group probably feel like they have outlived their productive time, or usefulness, not only as members of society but as the stewards of the mysteries of God [I Corinthians 4:1], which ALL Christian believers are to be, in a general sense of the Word [I Peter 3:15, Revelation 1:6].
     Is God done using, or disappointed with, people who can no longer walk about like they once could, or do the things they could once do? Well, even though physical fitness helps us make it through life and should be a way of life, it is of little value in our walk with Jesus Christ [Philippians 3:4-9, II Corinthians 10:10, I Timothy 4:7,8], as concerning how close we can be to Him.
     There is nothing wrong with working out and staying in top physical condition, and is needful for some occupations and benefits us to do so no matter what we do in life. Jesus and His followers were certainly in good physical condition, as they did a great deal of walking. But good physical condition puts us in no better standing with God than someone who is in poor physical condition, nor does physical fitness enable us to be closer to God than not being in a state of physical fitness, especially if the situation cannot be helped [Psalm 147:10,11, Amos 2:14-16, Ecclesiastes 9:11, 10:7]. God takes pleasure in them who reverence Him and trust in Him [Ephesians 6:24, Romans 8:23-28]. Earthly things are simply tools with which to better serve God [Ecclesiastes 2:11].
     One woman of God, a prophetess named Anna, was at least 104 years old and constantly served God with fastings and prayers [Luke 2:36-38], prayers being a major activity to partake of [James 5:15-20, Ephesians 6:18]. Fasting makes us humble [Psalm 35:13], which brings grace [James 4:10], which revives us [Isaiah 57:15], enabling us to allow God to solve difficult problems [Mark 9:14-29], and brings healing and miracles [James 5:13-18], to name a few. Note that we need to be sure that we are praying for the right thing and fasting for the right reason [James 4:3,7, Isaiah 58:3-11].
     Moses, a deliverer of Israel [Exodus 3:4-10], was physically able to climb to the top of a mountain at the age of 120 years, having never lost his eyesight or physical strength [Deuteronomy 34:1,7]. Much of his physical strength and endurance was always due to having been trained as a warrior while in Egypt, and having to endure great tests of stamina during the Exodus. Moses was always physically fit, so that plays a big part in what someone can do physically. Nonetheless, if we are humble before God, he can and will revive our spirits and hearts [Isaiah 57:15], which can help the physical part of us.
     We need to learn to be content under any circumstance [Philippians 4:11-13], and wait upon the Lord [Psalm 3:5, 55:22, Isaiah 40:31, James 5:10,11]. God is still in the healing business, but he sometimes heals in stages [Mark 8:22-26, John 9:6,7]. Sometimes we just have to deal with the situation and trust God [II Corinthians 12:9, Psalm 27:14,37:34, 33:20, Proverbs 20:22, Lamentations 3:26], believing that we will receive a new body without afflictions or pain one day [Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:4,5, I Corinthians 6:14, 15:12-19, 35-57].
     Remember also that God can work through us in spite of our weaknesses and afflictions [II Corinthians 12:7-10], and it is sometimes our infirmities which keep us humble. Though Moses was highly blessed, he was not perfect by any means. He had a speech defect of some sort [Exodus 4:10], he lacked confidence in himself to do God's bidding [Exodus 3:11, 4:1-3,4] and he had a temper at times [Exodus 2:11,12, 32:19,20] and could be provoked by people doing evil [Psalm 106:32,33]. One of those evils was people purposely "getting under his skin", to make him mad. Though Moses possessed some bad character traits, he obeyed God after God reassured him, and went to work for God and Israel, letting God work through him [Exodus 4:18,20,27,29]. And since Moses was obedient, the Lord helped him overcome one of his problems by having his brother Aaron do the speaking for him [Exodus 4:14-16].
     The Apostle Peter, though certainly very active, tough and robust in his younger days [John 21:4-7, 18:3,10,11, Luke 5:5, Mark 8:31-33, Luke 24:12, Matthew 14:27-32], didn't write his epistles until he was an elder. It is probable that the Holy Ghost didn't put it on his heart to do so until at which time he did. But whatever the reason, his faded vitality meant nothing to God. He was a mighty witness to many even as an elder, and probably was most effective as an elder [I Peter 5:1, John 21:17-19, Psalm 116:15], as his manner of death, being crucified [upside down at his request] was a great witness to many, which glorified Christ and honored God.
     The Patriarch Abraham, the “father” of our faith in Christ [Romans 4:1,9-13] was at least 75 years old before God spoke to him [Genesis 12:1,4, 15:1,6], was 86 years old when he fathered a son, Ishmael, by his wife's maid, Hagar (which was an early custom, now forbidden to Christians) [Genesis 16:1-4,15,16], was 99 years old when he was physically circumcised [Genesis 17:24, Romans 2:28,29, Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:11], and was 100 years old when he fathered his son Isaac, his wife Sarah being 90 years old, though she was way beyond child-bearing years [Genesis 21:5,7, 18:11,12]. Abraham also lived long enough to do much more for the Lord, as well as to raise his son and see him well into adulthood.
     These were people with real, everyday problems and weaknesses, just like us, but were obedient to God in spite of themselves [Genesis 16:4,6, 18:13-15, 17:15-18, 21:9-14, II Corinthians 12:9]. God can, will and does use older folks to do His work and perform miracles through them by His power. God chooses whom He will [Galatians 3:28].
     Note that the era of all of these people is after the time that God declared “yet his (humans) days shall be 120 years”. This means that in general, humans will no longer live beyond 120 years. At some point after Noah, men began to die no later than 120 years old [Genesis 6:3, II Chronicles 24:15], with few exceptions.
     According to not only the Bible, but also by some historical accounts, Paul the Apostle set a fine example of how Christians should view death, which is regardless of our age. He was filled with joy at finally being able to leave this wicked world, because his work on earth was done[Galatians 1:4, I John 4:4,5, Philippians 1:21-24].
     Paul was beheaded at the Ostian Way, some 3 miles from Rome, a common method of execution, in view of 50,000 spectators, who viewed executions as a sport. As Paul was being led to the chopping block by Roman soldiers, he suddenly broke free and ran to the block, embracing it, and putting himself into position for the fatal blow. There were no more appeals left for him.
     As the executioner's axe severed his head from his body, a bright flash of light prevented anybody from watching the severing of Paul's head. Only God witnessed the moment of death. That was the Almighty's witness to one of Christianity's most humble and obedient servants of Christ [Psalm 116:15], who was 66 years old when he died.
     The execution of the Apostle Paul happened during the reign of Nero, a cruel and bloody emperor, who had hundreds of thousands, maybe over a million, Christians murdered, mostly Jews. According to one historian, the reason that Nero stopped having Christians murdered is because his wife and daughter became Christian believers.
     God does not view the outward appearance as humans are inclined to do, nor is physical condition a limiting factor to Yahweh [Proverbs 24:23, James 2:1,9, Deuteronomy 1:17, II Samuel 14:14, Psalm 40:4, Joel 2:28, II Corinthians 10:1,10-12].       I've talked to a number of elderly, and some not so elderly, who wish for their life to be over, because of pain, suffering and other limitations and afflictions. Wanting to go on to be with the Lord is a Godly thing [Philippians 1:20-30], but as long as we are alive, there is still some unfinished business which God intends for us to do. Only God need decide when we are to depart this life [Psalm 68:20, 48:14].