The Golden Years

Psalm 71:9-18

9And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.

Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.

10For my enemies are whispering against me.

They are plotting together to kill me.

11They say, “God has abandoned him.

Let’s go and get him,

for there is no one to help him now.”

12O God, don’t stay away.

My God, please hurry to help me.

13Bring disgrace and destruction on those who accuse me.

May humiliation and shame cover

those who want to harm me.

14But I will keep on hoping for you to help me;

I will praise you more and more.

15I will tell everyone about your righteousness.

All day long I will proclaim your saving power,

for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me.

16I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD.

I will tell everyone that you alone are just and good.

17O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood,

and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do.

18Now 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.

The bishop was at least in his eighties when they came to arrest him. The emperor had decided to crack down on Christians, especially their leaders, because they refused to worship the gods of Rome or the emperor’s image. Many believers had been shuttling the bishop from farm to farm as the authorities searched for him.

When the police finally found Bishop Polycarp, he invited them in for lunch, then went peacefully. They took him to an arena, where he stood before a Roman proconsul. He had one more chance to save himself. “Have respect for your old age,” the proconsul pleaded. “Curse Christ.”

Polycarp’s reply was golden: “Eighty-six years have I served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my king who has saved me?” For his obstinacy, Polycarp was burned to death.

This bishop was a living example of Psalm 71. In his old age he kept trusting Christ, and he kept proclaiming what God had done.

Yes, broken, timeless, still, O Lord,

This voice transported, shall record

Thy goodness, tried so long;

Till, sinking slow, with calm decay,

Its feeble murmur melt away

Into a seraph’s song.

ROBERT GRANT

Bible Networking

For more about teaching that comes from God (verse 17) read John 16:13; Ezekiel 36:26-27; and Psalm 119:98-100.

Notable Quotable

“It is not improper for a man who sees old age coming upon him to pray for special grace to enable him to meet what he cannot but dread.”

ALBERT BARNES