Is Age Something to Dread?

Did you know Noah was 600 when God asked him to warn the world about the coming flood (Genesis 7:6)? He died when he was 950 (Genesis 9:29), but 600 is still fossil like!

Sarah died when she was 127 (Genesis 23:1-2) but was 90 (Genesis 17:17) when Isaac was born. Abraham was 100 when Isaac was born (Genesis 21:5) and died at 175 (Genesis 25?7).

In Psalm 90:10, Moses says the average life span by then was 70 or 80 years, but God called Moses to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt when Moses was 80 years old (Genesis 7:7)! At least he had some help from 83 year old Aaron (Genesis 7:7)!

After patiently waiting and wandering in the wilderness for 40 years even though it wasn't his fault, Caleb was 85 years old when when he finally stormed and settled the hill country of Canaan (Joshua 14:7-13). Joshua was 110 years old when he died (Joshua 24:29), but was 95 years old when he led the children of Israel across the Jordan River to finally conquer Jericho and begin 7 years of similar battles of conquest (Joshua 1-12) followed by 8 years of settling the land (Joshua 13-24).

The prophet Daniel was a teenager when he was human trafficked out of Jerusalem and into Babylon where he served King Nebuchadnezzar. But we forget that he was thrown into the lion's den when he was 80 some years old and still serving the next king and the next king of an entirely different country that took over Babylon making him one of the three most powerful rulers in the land while in his 80+s (Daniel 6:28)!

John the Baptist's dad Zacharaias was advanced in years (Luke 1:7). But he was young enough to still serve in the temple and miraculously become a parent with his old and previously barren wife Elizabeth (Luke 1:36).

Simeon was an elderly witness of the consolation of Israel. But he clearly saw Jesus as the Messiah they were waiting for (Luke 2:25-38). Another elderly witness of Jesus, Anna, was old but didn't act like it. She fasted and prayed day and night (Luke 2:25-38).

The apostle Paul called himself old in Philemon 9. But with poor eyesight in a hole of a prison cell in Rome, he wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Colossians! Age is not something to dread. God has plans for all of us. Godly men and women adapt to God's plans. Isaiah 46:4 says, "I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." 104 year old Marge knows this is true. Click the vid above to hear her story.