THE WISDOM OF THE AGES

Moses died at the age of 120 years and when he died "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." (Deut. 34:7) David died "in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honour." (I Chr. 29:28) Job said, "With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding." (Job 12:12) Age and death are two of the most talked about mysteries of mankind. Age may create a very beautiful, sensitive spirit within or it may create a bitter spirit. The experiences that have created the age have their effect upon the physical body as well as the spirit that dwells within. Physically, age often brings about a loss of beauty, but spiritually age should enhance one's beauty.

When Job was caught up in his troubles, he sought answers from elderly friends. A younger man, Elihu, beheld that the aged men had no answer to give and he spoke, "I am young, and ye are very old; wherefore I was afraid, and durst not shew you mine opinion. I said, days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgement." (Job 32:6-9) In age should be found wisdom from experience and there shall be for the one who has lived as Job. As Elihu pointed out, wisdom does not come just from age, but rather from the spirit that is inspired of God.

A multitude of years is an opportunity to grow wise through a multitude of inspiration, but is much wisdom wasted through the limitation of the aged body? Perhaps, but not necessarily. The aged body is not always the weak body. The joy of the Lord is our strength. That joy is more prevalent in a spirit inspired of God for many years.

David sang often of the benefits of God. One of those is "that thy youth is renewed like the eagles" (Psalm 103:5) No doubt David felt that renewal or he would not have spoken of it. The beauty of the mystery of age is that renewal that provides for the greatest profit of the inspired spirit. The wisdom of age in a body renewed as the eagles provides opportunity for profit unto God.

To understand and believe God's promises is to be renewed. David understood, trusted, and took delight in his Lord. David, through his inspired spirit, wrote, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily Thou shall be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." (Psalm 37: 3-4) David had human weakness and experienced weakness of the aged body, but David knew strength as many never know. David's strength was found in his confidence in God, thus it grew with years of experience because God is stable and sure. God does not weaken. His word and His strength shall not fail.

Copyrighted to Editor, 1995

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