In My Old Age, Don't Set Me Aside

Prayer – Lord, I’m beginning to get old. Don’t let me get set aside. I still have value and most of all I enjoy studying Your word and learning from You daily.

O LORD, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me and rescue me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me, and set me free. Be my rock of safety where I can always hide. Give the order to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. My God, rescue me from the power of the wicked, from the clutches of cruel oppressors. O Lord, you alone are my hope. I've trusted you, O LORD, from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother's womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection. That is why I can never stop praising you; I declare your glory all day long. And now, in my old age, don't set me aside. Don't abandon me when my strength is failing. For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me. They say, "God has abandoned him. Let's go and get him, for no one will help him now." O God, don't stay away. My God, please hurry to help me. Bring disgrace and destruction on my accusers. Humiliate and shame those who want to harm me. But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are just. O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again. Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel. I will shout for joy and sing your praises, for you have ransomed me. I will tell about your righteous deeds all day long, for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated. Psalm 71:1-24 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. God is listening to you. Listen to Him.

Warden Community Church
Warden, Washington

O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Some of my earliest memories are of going to Sunday School and Vacation Bible School (VBS). My Dad would drop us kids off at church and then go get the Sunday newspaper at the grocery store and head home to read the paper and fix the Sunday dinner. Meanwhile, Mom would get ready and come to church and she would sit with us kids through the Sunday Service. When we got home, Dad would have a great Sunday dinner ready—often pot roast with potatoes and carrots. Yum! A summertime highlight was going to a week-long VBS—seeing my friends and playing in the grass in the shade of the enormous, tall trees out in front of the church. Living a couple of miles outside of town I only got to see my friends at Sunday School…and then VBS. So, with those regular visits to church and learning about God gave me a good foundation to understanding who God is and building a relationship with Him. Now that I am old and gray…well—white haired—I am focused on share my God with others, via this blog, and with my grandchildren.

It is important to note what God is doing in your life, otherwise how can you share this information with others? God is giving me peace and strength amid an anxiety filled time. There continue to be so much depressing news about COVID that it can be overwhelming. Just don’t listen to that is what most people will tell you, but if someone is watching YouTube in your home, you hear it. Yet, no anxiety—just like Jesus has promised, He takes it on Himself when we cast all our cares on Him. I did, and He did as He promised. In addition, God is providing me with wisdom and understanding far beyond my expectations. Even writing this blog daily for over ten years amazes me—and I couldn’t do it without the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. How is the Holy Spirit inspiring you?

So, in my old age I don’t want to be set aside. I am still productive and actually have so many projects I want to do that I just don’t have time to do everything—sharing Jesus with my neighbors, in-depth Bible studies, exercising or walking daily, writing my Legacy, writing more books with Bible stories, finishing my great-grandmother’s quilt, creating watercolor paintings, sewing and crocheting projects. So many things, so little time. Are you seeing a time crunch in your life, with your goals or planned projects? In my old age I don’t want to be set aside. Do you?

Verses of Salvation ~ So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us. If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is. Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God's presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. 2 Timothy 2:10-14

Memory Verse of the Week ~ But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

 

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson

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