Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

 Gray hair: Crown of glory

Psalm 71
 
The theme of the meditation “Grey Hair: Crown of Glory” appears in Psalm 71. “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71 (v. 17,18)
David is a man who has trusted God his whole life. His relationship with God began in his youth and has continued ever since. In Psalm 71 David prays for God's help in his old age when his enemies are all around him, but he continually prays with praises to God. Psalm 71 is a welcome comfort for believers enduring a lingering trial that drains their strength, whether physically, emotionally or mentally. God’s way to grow old is to develop a walk with Him.
The reason that David could handle his problems so well as an old man was that he had developed a walk with God in the years leading up to this time. He had a proven resource in the Lord which enabled him to be strong inside, even though his body was growing weaker, and his enemies were powerful.
David is one of the few men in the Bible whose life story is told from the time he was a young boy until the time when he died in his old age.  His entire life, youth to old age, has been spent in praising God and crying out to God for deliverance. David had times of great honor and joy, great sin, untold grief but in the end, we find him praising God at the end of his life for God's righteousness and power and seeking God for deliverance. David was able to put his focus on the Lord during his life trials.
It is good to bring all your thoughts and worries and cares to God in prayer.  Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.  God promises to be with you each step of life’s journey. Troubles will be upon us until the end of our days here on earth, but if God is gracious to us, we will be able to look back upon our lives and see His faithfulness to us even from the days of our youth. 
Begin the day with prayer, tell God your problems and live each day with a thankful heart praising God. You’ll find you feel happier and discover that your life has more meaning and purpose. Be blessed and be a blessing to someone else today.
While this passage helps to reflect on a life that has been richly blessed by the Lord, it also offers up a challenge for the years to come.  As we get old and gray, we have a responsibility to pass God’s teachings to the next generation and lead them in following him. 
David ends the psalm with praises: He thanks God out loud because God has been righteous and faithful. He is thankful for how God has redeemed him and cared for him all his life. He ends the psalm saying, “My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you.” Psalms 17 (v. 23)

 
Prayer
Dear Lord, in the years to come, please help us to be faithful to the challenge, that we proclaim the goodness of the Lord, helping others to mature in their faith and walk with God.

Thought for the Day
“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. Psalm 71 (v. 18)” 

Willy Isaac
Carmel MTC, Boston, MA


Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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