A GOOD OLD AGE

By David J. Riggs


Intro.
   A. The Psalmist gives the general life span of present-day man.
      Psalm 90:10-12
   B. To live a long, full life, is a blessing from the Lord.
      1. God promised faithful Abraham that he would live to a good
         old age. Gen. 15:15
      2. As God had said, Abraham died when he was very old. Gen.
         25:7-8
      3. A high priest by the name of Jehoiada was blessed because
         he had done good in Israel. 2 Chron. 24:15-16

I. Psalm 91:14-16 states that God blesses the faithful with long     
   life.
   A. Please notice the other blessings in this context which come to
      the faithful.
      1. Let us set our love on God and truly know His name.
         a. We do this by keeping His commandments and abiding
            in Him. 1 John 2:3-5
      2. Those who call upon God will receive help from Him. Jer.
         29:12-13; James 5:16

II. Job 5:26-27 praises those who serve the Lord by saying they
   would come to the grave at full age.
   A. A harvest passes through many adversities before it finally    
      comes to the time of reaping.
      1. It passes through many changes.
      2. It survives the attack of worms, insects, and diseases.
      3. It survives many disturbances of wind, hail, and rain.
      4. Finally, it comes to an end and the time of reaping.
   B. Our earthly life is much like that.
      1. We pass through many changes over our life span.
      2. There is always the dangers of sickness, accidents, and
         diseases.
      3. Eventually, though, we all come to an end. Eccl. 3:1-2a

III. Prov. 10:27 says that the fear of the Lord prolongs days.
   A. How does the fear of the Lord prolong one's life?
      1. Those who fear God, serve God. 1 Pet. 1:17; 2 Cor. 7:1
         a. God blesses those who fear Him. Luke 1:50
   B. God shortens the life of those who do evil. Prov. 10:27b
      1. Those who are given over to evil things which destroy their
         bodies will have a short life span; e.g., alcohol, drugs, or
         fornication. Eccl. 7:17
      2. Regarding the wicked, the Psalmist said - Psalm 55:23; Eccl.
         8:12-13

IV. No matter what age one might obtain, eventually he will die. Heb.
   9:27
   A. It is a wonderful and glorious thing to die in the Lord. Rev.  
      14:13
      1. Psalm 116:15 says, "Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the
         death of His saints."
      2. To be able to depart and be with Christ is a wonderful      
         thing. Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Cor. 5:6-10

Concl.
   A. Because of human nature, it is hard to accept the passing of a
      loved one, even when we know that one was a faithful Christian.
      1. No matter what one might say, death is still a very hard
         ordeal for all human beings.
   B. In time of grief and sorrow, let us remember that God is the
      supreme source of all comfort.
   C. He lifts up those who are cast down. Psalm 55:22
   D. Let us find our solace in God.
      1. Let us fear Him and serve Him, and He will bless us with a
         good life here, and in the end, eternal life.