Have the growing number of candles on your birthday cake given you pause? Most of us have long passed the “youth” stage of life where adding another year brought a proud smile. But every year is a gift. Whatever your age, may these Bible verses on aging encourage you.
The Hope of the Elderly
He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age” (Ruth 4:15 NIV).
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Isaiah 46:4 NIV).
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV),
“Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT).
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you’” (Hebrews 13:5 NLT).
“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation” (Psalm 91:16 NIV).
That is why we are not discouraged. Though outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16 GW).
The Honor of the Elderly
Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:32 NLT).
“Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father… Treat older women as you would your mother” (1 Timothy 5:1-2 NLT).
In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble’” (1 Peter 5:5 NIV).
“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old” (Job 12:12 NLT).
The Work of the Elderly
Those who are older should speak, for wisdom comes with age” (Job 32:7 NLT).
When we moved into our house twenty five years ago, my husband helped an elderly man lay our brick sidewalk. This weekend as we shoveled snow, Larry’s friend’s wise words came back to him. “Larry, take a break. You have to take breaks.”
Tell older men to be sober. …to be men of good character, to use good judgment, and to be well-grounded in faith, love, and endurance. Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God. …not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue. In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children, to use good judgment, and to be morally pure. Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority. Then no one can speak evil of God’s word” (Titus 2:2-5 GW).
Wisdom for Every Age
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NIV).
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Is. 46:4 NIV). #aging, #hope Click To TweetCelebrate!
This week I signed a contract with Elk Lake Publishing for my book Little Strength, Big God! It covers those listed in Hebrews 11 “who became strong in battle” and “from weakness were made strong.”
Resources
Last week I spoke on How to Know You Are Going to Heaven. Below is the link. God wants us to live and die with confidence concerning our eternity (1 Jn. 5 :12-13). Pardon me for looking over you! This was my first time speaking to a live and Zoom audience at the same time. 🙂
Online Small Group Study for Women
Discover the Secret to God’s Rest. Join me on Tuesday evenings February 1 through April 12th as we go through Give Yourself a Break together on Zoom from 7 to 8:30 P.M EST.
To sign up, please contact me. You can order your book here.
Give Yourself a Break will help you experience God and His rest in ten common areas of struggle. I hope you can join us!
What are your favorite Bible verses on aging? Please share one in the comments.
Blessings,
Photo by Aneta Pawlik on Unsplash
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory and here #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,
I love all of these verses but especially Psalm 90:12
Thank you!
They give life, don’t they, Jan?
At my age of 74, these words are so very encouraging. I have many written in my journal, but certainly not all. I am going to save these as I love to be reminded of the love God has for me and all of us. Thank you so much for putting so many in one place.
I found them to be very encouraging. Thanks, Linda.
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
Excellent! Thanks, Marilyn.
Thanks for the encouraging verses. We have a lot to learn from those who are older than us.
They are encouraging verses. Thanks, Sarah.
First, congratulations on your latest publishing contract. I’m so very happy for you ma’am. I can’t wait to read it. Second, I loved this week’s post. Such great reminders of why it seems the older I’m becoming, the more rich and sweeter my relationship with God is becoming. His new wine is becoming aged and full-bodied in the cask He so lovingly cares for.
Beautiful imagery, J.D. Yes, sweeter with time.
Congratulations Debbie! And I love these verses. My husband and I were talking about someone and he described them as “middle aged.” I asked how old that was and he said about 40. I told him I believe 60 is middle aged because I intend and expect to live to 120 unless Jesus comes back first (which I would not be upset about!) Thanks as always for sharing.
I like that, Ann!
Thank you for encouraging those of us who have more life experience than most.
Nancy, I like how you said that! 🙂
What a wealth of biblical resources you offered, Debbie. Thanks so much. What a privilege to live for God as we age and continue to serve Him.
Yes, Jeannie. I’m thankful God doesn’t write an expiration date on us while we’re still here.
It’s amazing how God doesn’t look at aging the way we do. He even praises gray hair yet we (including me) try to cover it up. I love Psalm 103:5 NKJV, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
I like that verse too! And Barbara, I think about how I’ve fallen into our culture’s worship of youthfulness instead of valuing the gifts that come only through life to us as we age.
At my church, we call ourselves “seasoned” women. LOL For those of us who are now over 50 (I’ll admit it, 52 for me), this is a great collection of verses on aging and a reminder that as long as we are still breathing, we still have a purpose here. Thank you! 🙂
Tina, “seasoned” sounds a lot better than old!
Debbie, thank you for sharing these verses. I love them all. Blessings.
Thank you, Paula. They encourage me too!
Old age would look pretty bleak without the promise of God presence, sustenance and care. One of my favorite verses about getting older is Psalm 92:14-15: “They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Even when I can’t do the things I used to, I can still bear fruit for Him.
Oh–and congratulations on your book contract!
Love that verse, Barbara. Thanks for sharing it! And thank you. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to work with a new publisher.
Congratulations on your book contract! I recently purchased your other book Little Women, Big God and look forward to reading it!
Thank you, Donna. I have a leader’s guide if you’re interested.
Great insights on aging, Debbie. Congratulations on your book contract!
So thankful God has encouraging words for every occasion! Thanks, Lisa. I’m grateful!
Since I’m no longer able to lay claim to being young (except in my mind), I greatly appreciated your message and the reassuring scripture you shared. Thankfully, even though we are advancing in years, we still have much to contribute and our Lord is with us in the process. Wishing you continued blessings, Debbie, in your service to Him.
Thank you, Katherine. And a big amen! May we keep God allow us to bear fruit in every season.
One of my favorites is 2 Corinthians 4:16. We’re leaving it all on the field! We won’t need these bodies later.
Annie, I love that verse too. Such hope! Thank you.
Thank you Debbie for compiling these verses to encourage those of us who are in the “aging” group . Last night I went to a movie with my grands-The Prince of Egypt” Lines from one of the songs said we need to see our lives through God’s eyes. These verses show us that. And congratulations on your book contract.
Yes we do. Thanks, Marilyn!