From the Pastor: Weekly Word 1-22-20

Greetings brethren!

George Carlin, the famous American comedian, once said:

"I was thinking about how people seem to read the bible a lot more as they get older, and then it dawned on me--they're cramming for their final exam."

While that may be funny it does have a certain amount of truth to it. God does expect us to grow in wisdom and knowledge of him and his ways. Proverbs 9 tells that when we do so he promises to multiply our days:

Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 9:11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

But he doesn't want us to grow in wisdom and knowledge just for the sake of wisdom and knowledge. He expects us to share that wisdom and knowledge with others.

Psalm 71:17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
Psalm 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.

We should be declaring what we know about the Lord God to the next generation. We should be telling about his power to everyone that is coming after us. The Psalmist doesn't want to die until he has done his share to promote God! In other words he wants God to continue using him.

As we age our primary goal should be to ask God to use us however he can. Older people have wisdom and knowledge about God and his ways that needs to be shared.

The real final exam is this: Are we asking God to fully use us even when we're old and grayheaded?

Take care and see you soon!

Doug