Last night, we gathered for worship and one of our pastors – David Crowe – preached from Ecclesiastes 12:1-7 as we’re nearing the end of our Sunday evening study.  He admitted at the beginning that as most of America was preparing for a festive evening centered on the Super Bowl, the text we covered last night didn’t lend itself to much celebration.

As we read and examine the text, we see images of diminished strength, failing body, and the fear of growing old.  These images are not exactly encouraging to say the least.  However, Pastor David did a good job of demonstrating two important truths:

1.  Don’t neglect your youthfulness today, because it passes quickly.
2. Don’t neglect your value as an older person, because you can still be used by the Lord even in a state of diminished strength.

For those of us who are still considered young(er) in life, the prospect of teeth falling out, eyes growing dim, the loss of strength, and all of this leading to shaking in fear of the end is not something to celebrate.  In fact, if we consider the reality of last night, very few people were gathered together under the teaching of such a passage.  Most of our nation was gathered in party atmospheres, eating and drinking, and celebrating the strength of their selected team or players in the big game.

The point is clear, even the most powerful runners, the most skilled passers, and the most intelligent coaches last night will go through this process of aging at some point.  We were reminded of this reality as President George H. W. Bush (41) was pushed out to the 50 yard line in a wheel chair to flip the coin for the team captains at the beginning of the game.

As we consider the inevitable, we must not approach those days in fear.  We have hope.  Even in the state of diminished health when the dark days come—we have this blessed assurance in Christ who has gone before us and defeated death.  One day, even death itself will pass away (Rev. 21:1-4).  Until we pass over the precipice of this life into eternity, we will press on with our hope in Jesus Christ.  Even the dark days of life are not vanity – there is hope in Jesus.

Author

Josh Buice

Pastor Pray's Mill Baptist Church

Josh Buice is the founder and president of G3 Ministries and serves as the pastor of Pray's Mill Baptist Church on the westside of Atlanta. He is married to Kari and they have four children, Karis, John Mark, Kalli, and Judson. Additionally, he serves as Assistant Professor of Preaching at Grace Bible Theological Seminary. He enjoys theology, preaching, church history, and has a firm commitment to the local church. He also enjoys many sports and the outdoors, including long distance running and high country hunting. He has been writing on Delivered by Grace since he was in seminary and it has expanded with a large readership through the years.