Text: Psalm 16
In the beginning of Psalm 16, King David addresses the Lord, “I have no good apart from you.” The king recognized that everything he had was given to him by God. Like King David, all good things we have in this life come from our Lord. He blesses us with food, water, spouses, children, and friends. He endows us with talents that allow us to work, earn money, and serve Him.
However, as we age and become elderly, many of these blessings seem to disappear. Spouses and loved ones pass away. Our bodies and health fail us. Our savings dry up. We may no longer be able to take care of ourselves. In these dire moments of old age, it seems almost as if the Lord has abandoned us.
When King David faced difficult circumstances in his lifetime, he took refuge in the Lord who gave him counsel. When it appears that all is lost for us in our old age, we too can find refuge and counsel in our Lord. He not only gives us all blessings in this lifetime; more importantly, He gives us a beautiful inheritance through the forgiveness of sins in Jesus Christ. Through Christ our Lord, sin, Sheol, and the corruption of body shall not prevail against us. Instead, Jesus Christ has shown us the path of life by His death and resurrection. It is the path that leads to His eternal presence and the fullness of joy.
Let us pray: Gracious heavenly Father, through the frustrating, exhausting, and sometimes lonely days of old age, let us rejoice as we seek refuge in the cross and Word of Your Son, Jesus Christ, as we await the presence and fullness of joy in Your eternal kingdom. Amen.
(Carl Hingst, Sem IV)
Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne
κήρυξον τὸν λόγον. Preach the Word.