A cry from the heart

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. Psalm 71:9

We live in a culture where it is quite normal to mock the elderly; they are “past their use by date”, perhaps referred to as “wrinklies” or something equally disrespectful. Some of this mockery may be light-hearted and even affectionate, but the implied comment is clear - once you reach a certain point in your life, you have little either to contribute or to look forward to. The implication, taken to its logical conclusion, is that you’re just waiting for death.

Other cultures see things very differently: the old are honoured and even venerated. This certainly applied in ancient Israel: for example, God commands his people to “stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God” (Leviticus 19:32). Proverbs 16:31 tells us that “grey hair is a crown of splendour; it is attained in the way of righteousness” (though that second part is hardly a universal rule, is it? -  there are plenty of stupid and even bad grey-haired people about!).

Given that this respectful attitude is commanded, Psalm 71 may come to us as something of a surprise. The writer is clearly either already old or on the brink of it, and he is fearful of being thought of as on the scrap-heap. And it has affected his thinking even about God, for he prays “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone”.

We instinctively want to reply “Of course not! Why would your loving God even dream of doing such a thing!” But, of course, not all our worries and fears are logical, and just that one verse is a clear insight into the way even the most godly man or woman may sometimes feel.

However old or young we might be, there are clear messages in this powerful psalm.

First, for those who are already old…

(1) Never doubt the faithfulness of God.

The writer’s faith, built up over a long life, is solid. He describes God as “my rock and my fortress” (verse 3) and as “my strong refuge” (verse 7). He declares that “as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more” (verse 14). He recognises that life hasn’t always been easy: he has seen “troubles, many and bitter” (verse 20), but that doesn’t leave him hopeless.

Yet still he feels the need to cry out to God for reassurance.

This reminds us that our feelings are more changeable than the weather, and are not an accurate reflection of the way things actually are. There are times we need to summon up our faith and ask for grace simply to defy them; indeed, to tell them that they are liars.

(2)  Never doubt your usefulness to God.

This basic lesson is simple: as long as God gives you another day on earth, you have a contribution to make.

The psalmist may be feeling some very understandable qualms, yet a positive strand runs through his prayer. “I will ever praise you” he declares (verse 6); “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendour all day long” (verse 8). He hasn’t given up on worship! No, even if, in old age, his voice has become a bit thin and reedy, that’s not going to stop him plucking his harp and shouting God’s praise (verse 22-23). (And if the people standing next to him are tempted to put their fingers in their ears, well, so be it!)

Nor has he given up on what we might think of as evangelism: “My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds…” (verses 15-16). He is aware of his responsibility to pass on the good news of God’s love to “the next generation… to all who are to come” (verse 18). I suspect that many of us who were converted young owe a lot to the words and witness of old people who, in our hearts, we were tempted to despise: that’s certainly true for me.

So this psalm has much encouragement for those who are already old.

But, second, it can also speak to those still young…

All right, I don’t think anybody is going to insist that you literally “stand up in the presence of the aged”. But – well, how about simply noticing them? listening to what they have to say? finding small ways to be of practical help?

The recent pandemic offers a good example. Many churches report how people went missing from worship and fellowship while meeting physically was not possible. Perhaps most have since returned; but there are those who haven’t, and, as we might expect, many of those are among the elderly. How about following one or two up? Perhaps their health has deteriorated, or their faith has faltered. Perhaps they feel “cast away”, by the church, if not by God.

In my pastoral experience there are few sadder experiences than meeting an old Christian who, for whatever reason, is no longer able to attend church and now feels cut adrift. There was a time when thy never missed a service, they taught children or led a mid-week meeting, they worked tirelessly on practical tasks, they served energetically at the heart of the church’s life. After they stopped physically attending, various people did their best to keep in touch and the pastor aimed to call frequently.

But time has gone on, and gradually these contacts have fizzled out. Oh, they still have faith in God. But even the truest of Christians can experience sheer spiritual loneliness.

Is there a ministry there waiting to be exercised?

Father, thank you that you love and value every one of your people, from the youngest child to the oldest adult. Teach me to do the same, and if I am still in the prime of life, help me to find the joy of being a blessing to those who are nearer the end. Amen.