
Psalm 92:12-15 KJV
12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;
15 To shew that the Lord is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
Job 12:12 KJV
12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
A familiar old adage says, “the only two things certain in life are death and taxes.”
We might add “growing older” is a logical addition.
As we grow older, we often change physically.
We can get more wrinkles, weaker, more feeble, less able to get around, subject to more falling, less energetic and consumed with more aches and pains.
Sounds great, doesn’t it?
Many people over the years have been credited with the saying “getting old isn’t for sissies.”
And yes, it is likely the most difficult phase of our human life.
However, it does not have to be a bad experience. As a child of God, growing old can be very rewarding. In fact, there is ample proof and many examples of being able to grow old gracefully.
How do we do it?
WE MUST FACE FACT THAT WE ARE MORTAL

Somewhere around the age of mid-life, many say they begin to realize that age is catching up with them and that they are beginning the last leg of their journey on this earth.
Naturally, as humans begin to reach advanced years, it becomes increasingly clear that “the old gray mare just ain’t what she/he used to be” and one’s mortality becomes more and more clear.
What happens next is most important in determining how one proceeds to “grow old.”
Either gracefully or with fear and bitterness.
What happens is, we either come to accept and appreciate our mortality and life, or we refuse to accept aging and death and play like an ostrich, sticking our heads in the sand.
It would be much better if we humans would accept and appreciate our mortality earlier in life, viewing each day as a gift and not a certainty, thus enjoying each day to the fullest.
If we refuse to accept aging, physical problems and death, we will grow older with a great amount of disappointment, sadness, discontent, bitterness and lack of enjoyment. This is a very sad state in which to find someone.
However, we will grow old with grace and enjoyment of each day if we accept and appreciate our mortality and view each day in this life, as a gift that God gives us, preparing us for what He has in store, after our walk on earth is done.

WE LONG TO BE WITH CHRIST

The apostle Paul gives us a great amount of teaching on how to live without fear and anxiety during all phases of our life.
His words found in the 4th chapter of Philippians are great advice for any age, but especially so for us as we grow old.
Philippians 4:6-9 KJV
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
As we grow older, we should be even more focused on what God has in store for us in Heaven, as His child.
As we live by the words of Paul, we should have no fear or trepidation creeping into our lives.
Whatever aches, pains and health problems may arise, we will know that they are only temporary, and God will see us through them.
We should live joyously and victoriously knowing that regardless of how wonderful our earthly life may be, there will be no comparison with our Heavenly home to come.
Paul looked toward that day, when he would be with Christ, with great anticipation.
2 Corinthians 5:8 KJV
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
In this life, we see through the mirror dimly, but then, when we stand face to face with our Lord, we will see what earthly words cannot describe. We will feel what earthly feelings cannot feel. We will stand in the presence of our Lord, with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

AS WE GROW OLDER, WE SHOULD BECOME MORE CHRIST-LIKE

As we grow older in age, we also should be maturing spiritually and becoming closer and closer to God.
We are instructed by Paul and others to become more Christ-like and holy.
In doing so, we become a brighter light to those in our small circle of the world and a stronger more potent salt of the earth.
During our later years of life, with all of the rigors of job and raising children behind us, we should strive to be more like Christ than ever before.
We have the chance and honor to become the spiritual roadmap that our children, grandchildren and others in our small circle of the world need to see.
Psalm 71:18 KJV
18 Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Proverbs 17:6 KJV
6 Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
As we age physically, we should be maturing spiritually and becoming the “image” of Christ in all of our words and actions.
Naturally, we will acquire more aches and pains and not be as strong as we were when younger. There will be more valleys and trials, including health problems.
However, our acquired wisdom along with our Christ-like attitude, actions and words, will provide a witness and road map to those in our family and others in our small circle of the world.
In other words, our greatest contribution to those we love, may likely happen in our later years of life.

We will close the lesson with these thoughts.
It is much easier to grow old gracefully, if we realize that “tomorrow” is not guaranteed when we are at a young age. Most do not, but this makes it much easier to deal with aging.
We can grow old gracefully when we realize and cherish each day as a gift that God has granted us in this earthly life, and striving to live according to His will and purpose to be a “light” in a world of darkness and living so that others see Christ is us.
Finally, as we reach our teenage years and beyond, we become more independent and less dependent on our parents.
However, as we grow older in Christ, growing spiritually through the years, we become MORE dependent on our Heavenly Father.
Let us grow old gracefully and with grace.
God's grace.
Isaiah 46:4 KJV
4 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.

RVH