9-11-2014

  Good Morning All,

         Isaiah 46:4; “even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.  I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.”

“When I get older losing my hair
Many years from now
Will you still be sending me a valentine
Birthday greetings, bottle of wine?
If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door?
Will you still need me, will you still feed me
When I'm sixty-four?”

This was a song by the Beatles in the mid-1960’s.  The lead singer is Paul McCartney who is now 72. 

    This song speaks to the fear that many of us have as we age.  Will we still matter?  Will we have any relevance to anyone anymore?  It really hits us as we see such an emphasis on youth and “new” ideas.  As I took my classes through the seminary these past four years, I was older than about half of my instructors.  When I would be on the campus, I just felt old; most of the residential students didn’t look old enough to shave and they all have bachelor’s degrees.  I really began to understand the thoughts expressed by some of our shut-ins who question their value and if anybody out there cares.

    As we age, we wonder if our spouses still love us, if our family only tolerates us, if society just humors us.  We can tend to feel like no one cares or worries about us.  We can feel like we are just fading away becoming unseen and unheard.   This is what the devil and the world wants us to believe; the devil wants you to feel irrelevant.

   Yet here in our verse we see where God addresses this fear.  God tells us clearly and plainly that we never become irrelevant.  We never cease to be of value and importance to him.  Regardless of hair color, quality or quantity; we are God’s redeemed and beloved children.  God still feeds us; he continues to nourish our faith and to strengthen us.  God will never abandon you.  You will never be invisible or unimportant to God.  You will always matter.  As long as you have breath in this life, God will be there for you.  Then when that last breath is taken, God is still there with an even greater event; eternal life with him in joy forever. 

Gracious Father, your love for us never fades or dies.  We rely on you for all of our wants and needs and you satisfy our longings.  Keep us strong in the certainty of your grace and peace.  Be with those who feel lost and abandoned.  Send them your Spirit of comfort and consolation.  Bring them to know your wonderful love and to rest securely in your loving arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret