Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Psalm71:18
The alternative to aging is not something we really want, it is death. Despite this thought, once we reach our 30’s or 40’s we are happy to try to slow down the aging process. When we become old and gray, we are just happy to be alive.
Many older people want to slow down and focus on leisure activities. In today’s verse, David does not want to slow down, he wants to continue to have impact on the next generation. A similar sentiment is shared in a line from the Alvin and the Chipmunk movie: “Come on, you can rest when you’re dead.”
David’s cry that God not abandon him is not a selfish desire to have God’s blessing. He cries out to God to request that God give him the strength and opportunity to be used for His glory even when he is old and gray. He embraces the responsibility to teach the next generation all the truths of God and to proclaim His greatness. He wants to pass down the history of the mighty miracles God has performed. He knows how quickly we forget and lose sight of the past.
Whether we are young or old, we do well to call on God to strengthen and empower us to proclaim His truths and greatness in the world today. We don’t want to stop having an impact just because we may be old. There is time to rest when we’re dead.
Personal reflection: Do you desire that each new generation know God? Ask Him to use you to proclaim His greatness.