Unfortunately, some Christians have become convinced that old age serves as a sufficient excuse for a lack of service to the Lord’s work. Granted, the field of one’s service may change, but there should always remain a willingness to serve. For instance, Moses received his initial call to deliver Israel at forty years old (Acts 7:23) but did not lead God’s people out of Egypt until he was eighty (Exodus 7:7). When he died at 120 years of age, he remarked that “his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated” (Deuteronomy 34:7). At forty years of age, Caleb received a promise from Moses concerning the possession of land in Canaan (Joshua 14:7-9). Forty-five years later, Caleb took possession by driving out the mighty Anakims (Joshua 14:10-12). Caleb did something in his old age that many of the young men could not or would not attempt (Joshua 17:13).
Each phase of life bears the marks of certain strengths and weaknesses. In youth, man has a great amount of zeal. In fact, the Bible points out that “the glory of young men is their strength.” A young man might have the fortitude, strength, and stamina to accomplish great things, but his limited knowledge hinders his ability to accomplish greatness. As time elapses, man learns from both failure and success. He obtains the knowledge and enjoys the wisdom that often eluded him during his youth. His glory no longer resides in his strength, but his beauty is now “the gray head.” The very thing that limited his ability to accomplish great things in youth is now a virtue he has achieved. The glory of his youth may have departed, but there remains hope. He has the knowledge but lacks the strength he once possessed. Fortunately, he can invest his knowledge into those who still retain their youthful vitality.
Hear God's word, keep it, and it will “bring forth fruit with patience.” Today's passage comes from a series of verses (Luke 8:11-15) wherein the Lord explained the interpretation of a parable to His disciples. The Lord's interpretation incorporates another wonderful truth concerning patience. He likens patience to planting a seed and waiting for the fruit of that seed to develop and grow. Of course, the growth and maturation process takes time. A farmer going into the field every day to look for growth shows a lack of patience and wisdom. This truth equally applies to the Christian life; growing in the Lord takes time. Expecting maturity overnight is both unwise and unfruitful. A newly born-again Christian certainly cannot expect to bear the fruit of an established believer in a short period of time. In fact, the Lord promises that fruit will be brought forth only with patience. Consider the truth taught concerning the husbandman who “waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it” (James 5:7). We must all patiently wait for the seeds of life to develop into fruit in the Lord's time.
