“And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (Isa. 46:4)
I recently turned 50 years old. And as young as I still am….and, yes, I am STILL young…I am already noticing that it is no fun getting older. I am realizing that as you get older your body starts to change without your permission! Someone said you know you are getting old:
- When everything hurts, and what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work!
- When your knees buckle, but your belt won’t!
- When you sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going!
- When you sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there!
- When every time you see a pretty woman, your pacemaker makes the garage door go up!
Someone asked Robertson McQuilkin, “Why does God let us get old and weak? Why must I hurt so?” To which he replied. “I’m not sure, but I have a theory. I think God has planned strength and beauty of youth to be physical, but the strength and beauty of age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporal, so we’ll be sure to concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever.”
Old age may not be all that it is cracked up to be, but God has a promise just for the elderly.
FIRST—He Will STRENGTHEN You.
He said, “even to hoar hairs will I carry you.” The word “hoar hairs” means gray hairs. One of the first things an elderly person begins to lose is their strength. They don’t have the endurance they once had in their youth. The word “carry” means to carry a heavy burden. God promises to strengthen you and help you carry the heavy burden of old age.
SECOND—He Will SUSTAIN You.
Next, He said, “..I will bear.” The word “bear” means to lift up; to aid; to support. Aren’t you glad that when the gray hairs come and your natural strength starts to leave, that God is still there to lift you up and sustain you? He is not promising to give you the physical strength you once had, but He can sustain you, spiritually, no matter how old you may be!
THIRD—He Will SAVE You.
Lastly, He said, “..and will deliver you.” One of the meanings of this word “deliver” is to preserve. What a comfort to know that when old age comes on and your memory isn’t what it used to be, God will still preserve you. You may have forgotten many things you have done or things God has done, but your salvation and your fellowship with God aren’t dependent upon what you can remember, but upon what God remembers!
It can be easy for the elderly to feel forgotten and all alone. But here is a great reminder from God that “even to your old age” and “even to hoar hairs” God is always there to strengthen, sustain, and preserve you!