“I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and rescue you.” Isaiah 46:4 CSB
Ten years ago, our family faced a financial crisis after job loss, and my husband and I buckled down to make ends meet and pay off debt, giving up extras until we reached our goal. He gave up golf, and I gave up coloring my hair. He returned to golf a year later, but by then my gray had begun to look like highlights in my brunette waves, so I decided to go au naturel. I’m sure the financial strain on our marriage hastened the graying!
The gray is more pronounced now in my late fifties, along with other signs of aging: crow’s feet, wrinkled hands, and a body that is slowing down. Lately, a glance in the mirror leads me to wonder, Shouldn’t I have more patience by now? Shouldn’t I know how to control my emotions by now? Shouldn’t I be less prideful by now? Shouldn’t I be more like Jesus by now? Then I remember to stop should-ing all over myself and come into agreement with the truth that these things are not possible in my own strength, but only with Jesus (Luke 18:27). Age doesn’t set the pace of our sanctification. No matter how long we’ve walked with Jesus, we will always need His rescue and redemption on this side of heaven. It is why we need Him, not only day to day, but moment to moment. Let us rejoice that He promises to bear us up and carry us, to rescue us even as we age and turn gray!
Before following Jesus, I’d lived life in my own strength, with things supposedly under control. But there was a day I found myself face down on the carpet lamenting why my inner emptiness didn’t match my outward success. How did our marriage get so off track? How did our money get spent so recklessly? Why didn’t life look the way we’d dreamed it would be? How could our world be falling apart in our forties? The heart-wrenching, gut-twisting anxiety brought me to my knees, which is exactly where the Lord wanted me so He could open my eyes and ears to receive the gospel. All in His will and His way, right on time. I thought it must be too late for Him to rescue me; I’d done too much damage. But we serve a God whose grace and mercy have no expiration date!
Whatever age you are, whatever season you’re in, whatever you’re facing today, know this: as change swirls around you, our Savior is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8). He is the Shepherd who never leaves His flock, and the One who always rescues and redeems. His protection is everlasting, and His invitation for you to enter His rest has no RSVP deadline. Let Psalm 71 remind you that He never discards you or abandons you, no matter your age, your strength, or how gray your hair gets. Let us hope continually and praise Him more and more!
Prayer: Dear sovereign Lord and Father, we rejoice that You are our protector and rescuer. We thank You that there is no expiration date on Your lavish grace, fresh mercies, and unconditional love! Even when aging grays our hair and causes our bodies to slow down, none of these physical changes impede Your desire to rescue us and use us for Your glory. Today, may we be reminded that we are Your sheep who know Your name and Your voice, no matter what worldly circumstances are in front of us. In the name of our savior Jesus Christ, Amen.
Want more?
Read Psalm 23. How does a shepherd rescue and protect his flock? In what ways does our Great Shepherd care for, protect, and guide us, His sheep? Are there any limits to how far the shepherd will go for his flock? How long does the psalmist say that goodness and faithful love pursue him? What is the expiration date for dwelling in the house of the Lord?
Scripture quotations marked CSB are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
