[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: Ageing gracefully

By Oke Chinye

Read: Psalm 92:12-15

Meditation verse:

“They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (Psalm 92:14).

Developing and nurturing a right relationship with the one who created your body is the only guarantee you have for ageing gracefully and transiting peacefully unto the life beyond. Isaiah 40:30-31 says, “even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint”. Athletes have been known to collapse and die during sporting events and fitness addicts have been afflicted with deadly diseases such as cancer. The bible states that “bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (1 Tim 4:8).

God promises to uphold and deliver you from the time you are born to your old age (Isaiah 46:3- 4). He says that He will satisfy you with long life and show you His salvation (Psalm 91:16). He declares that you shall bear fruits even in old age and you shall be fresh and flourishing. What an amazing life He has in store for us, and His promises are worth holding on to because He never fails. However, God’s promises are usually tied to conditions. Deuteronomy 5:33 states that “you shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess”. Ecclesiastes 12:1 instructs us to remember God in the days of our youth, so that He would remember us during the difficult and dark years of ageing.

A life without God will lead to a lonely and unfulfilled old age, full of regrets. A life centred around and lived for God will bring fulfilment and cause you to age gracefully. Even if sickness or difficulties arise, you will experience joy and peace. You will glow in the assurance that God is upholding you and will eventually carry you safely to the other side when your time on earth is up. Seek God now whilst you are young and active. Love Him with all your heart, soul and might and keep His commandments. Serve Him with joy and gladness and stay away from sin. “When you let God’s love fill your heart, it will show on your face” (Joanie Yoder).

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Dcns Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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