The Bible Column - The Value and Place of Old Age

“With us are both the grayheaded and very aged men…” Job 15:10
“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31
“…and the beauty of old men is the gray head.” Proverbs 20:29
Much is done and studied in our day to prevent aging. Gray hair is considered by many to be an undesirable thing. Growing older and all that is involved is not what it is “cracked up to be”, they say. “If we could only stay young all would be better”, is the thought among many.
But, consider for a moment what the Bible says. In Scripture we learn that beauty and wisdom go along with old age. While it is not the beauty of youth, there is a beauty in wisdom and years lived that needs to be seen as valuable.
Since we cannot turn back the clock, we need to learn to use the opportunities which age affords to the best eternal advantage. For the trusting Christian, sunset should be a time of quietness and peace. A bitter old man or woman is not very pleasing nor desirable. It is most refreshing, however, to know of an older person who becomes sweeter and mellower as the days go by.
No doubt, the central matter of a life in tune with the Lord and a trusting heart before Him is the key to graceful ageing. To mope over past joys and fading youth will not change the picture. But to look ahead and see the glory…this is victory. It is possible to continue to bring forth fruit in old age. Psalms 92:14 tells us, “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;” The Lord is able to make it so!
May the Lord help each of us to advance in the Lord’s blessing and benefit, as we grow older! The crown of glory is surely a blessing of the Lord that cannot be undervalued.