Proverbs 16:31 – Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous
life. (NIV)
Some time ago, someone asked me a question: "Why does someone your age keep so
busy? Isn't it time you slowed down?" This question made me think about seniors
who do all kinds of work. There are seniors who volunteer at long term care
centres, taking residents to various activities. There are others who go there
to play the piano for different programs. There are seniors who drive for
various organizations such as the Cancer Society, the Red Cross, "day away"
programs, or meals on wheels.
Our churches would not be able to function without all the seniors who are very
busy doing work for the church. There are also ministers, long retired, who keep
on preaching the gospel. I have also concluded from some of the comments by the
various authors of these devotionals that some of us are fairly well up in years
— so many busy seniors doing so many different things!
As for myself, in 1993, it was discovered that the aortic valve in my heart was
defective. It was a birth defect, apparently. After a series of tests, it was
decided that the valve should be replaced. As I was in good physical condition,
I was asked to take part in a new program where 500 people worldwide would
receive a pig valve. They were going to monitor us closely, and the results
would be shared by specialists in all the countries which were taking part in
this study. On November 12th, 1993, this valve was installed. It lasted for 18
years, and then, it started to show signs of deterioration. Again, tests were
done, and on January 6th, 2012, it was replaced by another tissue valve.
2 Kings 20 tells us the story of King Hezekiah, who was sick and near to death,
and how he prayed with tears: "Remember now, O Lord, I pray, how I have walked
before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what was good in Your
sight" (2 Kings 20:3 NKJV). Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord responded, "I
have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will heal you. On the
third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add to your days
fifteen years." (2 Kings 20:5b-6a NKJV)
At the end of the chapter, there is a footnote which tells us that Hezekiah did
not sit around for the rest of his life. As a matter of fact, he built a water
reservoir and a tunnel to bring water into the city.
I am personally convinced that the Lord has spared me to continue His work, and
it is with great joy that I do this. For so many of us, our retirement years
give us the time to serve the Lord, doing various things to help others in our
families, in the community, and in the church. In fact, there is no retirement
from serving the Lord!
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we pray for all the people who do Your work and
help others in so many different ways. We ask that You would give them the
desire, the strength, and the enthusiasm to keep doing it for their appointed
length of time. We ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.
Joel Jongkind
Meaford, Ontario, Canada
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.