A few minutes away from me here in Grand Rapids are the famously beautiful Meijer Gardens, where expert guides can provide so much fascinating information about the latest and newest displays of flowers, shrubs, and trees.
In Psalm 92v12-15, God gives us a guided tour of His beautiful garden, His Church, where He views His people as palm trees and Lebanese cedars (v. 12). His special interest, though, is not so much in the bright new arrivals, but in the older more mature disciples. He says, “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (v. 14).
Seniors are often neglected in today’s youth-centered church, but notice God’s kind and encouraging words for them.
They Grow (v. 12)
Fatigue, decay, decline, weakness, and pain are the words we usually associate with old age. And they are biblical words (Eccl. 12:1-8). However, here the Lord gives us another perspective. He compares senior Christians to fruitful date-palms and mighty cedars!
Though growing physically weaker, they also grow spiritually stronger (2 Cor. 4:16). They grow in faith, holiness, wisdom, hope, and love because they are planted in the healthy soil of God’s church (Ps. 92:13).
They Are Fruitful (v. 14)
The psalmist especially refers to the date-palm here, which not only provided fruit for desert nomads but also indicated where water was located as its deep roots sought out underground water.
Although many trees stop fruit-bearing as they get older, God’s seniors don’t. They produce the fruits of the Spirit as signs of health, and for the benefit of others. They’ve been well-pruned and so bear branches heavy with spiritual fruits.
They Are Fresh (v. 14)
“Fresh” here could be translated “sap-full.” There’s an inner sap, an invisible and secret source of moisture and refreshment deep within. Their flourishing without is from a fatness within. They are not living off stale past spiritual experiences but rather are experiencing ongoing renewal by the inner sap of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Are Flourishing (v. 14)
In contrast to the wicked, whose flourishing is brief (Ps. 92:7-11), the righteous flourish right through their senior years. Of course, this is not saying that Christian seniors don’t age. It’s not talking about the body, or even the mind, but about spiritual abilities and senses:
- Their eyes no longer see, but faith sees and believes the promises.
- Their ears no longer hear, but they can still hear the voice of the Savior in His Word.
- Their voice is getting croaky, but they can still make melody in their heart to the Lord.
- Their feet are shaky, but they are still walking steadily on the paths of righteousness.
- Their skin is shriveling and wrinkling, but they are beautiful in the eyes of the Lord.
- Their appetite is diminishing, but they still hunger and thirst after righteousness.
- Their taste is disappearing, but they can still taste and see that God is good and feed on the bread of heaven.
- Their heart is failing, but their spiritual heart is beating regularly and constantly.
- Interest in the world is diminishing, but interest in the world to come is growing.
Much of this flourishing takes place invisibly in the spiritual realm as they fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. They focus especially on battles with bitterness, loneliness, fear, and anxiety.
They Are Witnessing (v. 15)
Matthew Henry said, “Every aged Christian is a letter of commendation to the immutable fidelity of God.” They do this by their lives and their lips. They declare that the Lord is righteous and the Lord is their rock (v. 15).
Faith not Feeling
Most seniors do not feel as if they are growing, as if they are fruitful, fresh, and flourishing. But God says it’s true, and Christian seniors are called to believe God’s Word more than they believe the image in the mirror or the creaks in their bodies.