Bearing Fruit in Old Age

(Psalm 71:17-18)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 71:17-18 says, “O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.”  This psalm was written by an aged person, generally thought to be David.  He faces many hardships in his old age, and his enemies surround him.  He knew that God had always been there for him in the past, and he was confident that God’s aid would continue.

The writer repeatedly states the reason for requesting deliverance in verses 14-18.  If delivered, he could continue praising God and telling the next generation about His righteousness, salvation, wondrous works, strength, and power.

Some people become old and decide that, as they retire from their jobs, they can “retire” from the responsibilities of being a Christian.  However, this was not the attitude of the psalmist.  His reason for wanting to continue to live was to have the opportunity to serve the Lord and even to teach younger people.

Elsewhere, Psalm 92:12-13 speaks of the righteous flourishing like a palm tree, growing like a cedar in Lebanon, and flourishing in the courts of God.  Verses 14-15 continue, “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”  Those advanced in years must continue to declare God’s uprightness and bear fruit for Him.

Examples of God using aged people in his services exist throughout the Scriptures.  Consider some cases.

1. Moses & Aaron — Moses was 40 years old when he smote the Egyptians (Acts 7:23); he was 80, and Aaron was 83 when God called them to deliver His people (Ex. 7:7).  Moses died at 120 (Deut. 34:7).  They accomplished so much for the Lord in the last segment of their lives.
2. Joshua & Caleb — Joshua, who was in charge of leading the conquest of the land of Canaan, took over this role in his 80’s. He lived to be 110 (Josh. 24:29), so this important leadership role in God’s service was in the late stage of his life.   On the other hand, Caleb, a leader during the conquest, was in his 40s when he was sent to spy out the land and was in his 80s when he took over the leadership role (Josh. 14:6-11).   Caleb remained a faithful servant of God throughout his life.
3. Zacharias & Elizabeth — These became the parents of John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ. Luke 1 describes them as being “well advanced in years” (7, 18, 36) and also says Elizabeth was “barren.”   The angel, Gabriel, appeared to Zecharias and told him they would have a child, who they would call “John,” and he would prepare the way for Christ.  Also, Zecharias was still serving in the temple despite his age.
4. Simeon & Anna — These are two older people who were present when the Christ child was brought to the temple for circumcision (Lk. 2:22-38). The Scriptures describe Simon as a just and devout man “waiting for the Consolation of Israel.”  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would live long enough to see Jesus Christ (25-26).  He prophesied about Christ in verses 29-31 and said that since he had seen Him, he was ready to “depart in peace” (20).  We do not know precisely how old Simeon was, but it is clear that he continued to serve God even though he was advanced in years.  Also, Anna is described as “ . . . a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day” (37).  Like the psalmist, she then spread the message about the Lord (38).  It is clear that, although aged, she was devoted to God, and serving Him was the center of her life.
5. Paul — We do not know exactly how old Paul was when he consented to the death of Stephen and “made havoc of the church” (Acts 8:1-3), but from his conversion (Acts 9) until he was an old man near death, we learn of his faithfulness to the Lord. Despite persecutions (2 Cor. 11:22-28), he faithfully served God until the end.  In Philemon 9, while in prison for the cause of Christ, he referred to himself as “Paul the aged.”  During what was probably a later imprisonment, apparently near the very end, he wrote to Timothy, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6-8).  Like the psalmist, for as long as Paul lived, he declared the “strength” and “power” of God to everyone he could.

Old age is supposed to be a productive time when the righteous, although advanced in years, continue to honor God and spread the message about Him.  For qualified men, it is a time for some to become elders or overseers (Acts 20:17, 28; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Tim. 3:1-7).  Older women are to teach the younger women (Titus 2:3-5).  Many become slack in serving God when they have reached the age where they can do the most!  But David declared the strength and power of God until the end, and every aged Christian today should do the same.