As part of my morning quiet time I have been using a good little book with daily, practical comments on the Psalms. I have enjoyed using this a lot in the last number of weeks and would like to share one of these with you. If you aren't retired, or a senior, you should still enjoy this one.
The book is For the Retired by Leslie F. Brandt, published by Augsburg Publishing House, 426 S. Fifth Street, Minneapolis, MN. Copyright 1984. The meditation I share with you is entitled, Hallelujah, page 76, and the comments are based on Psalm 92:14.
I begin first of all by quoting Psalm 92:12-14 for the context: "The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, 'The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.'"
"This is a psalm that should make our day. It may not be particularly flattering to be considered 'fresh and green,' but it signifies life and energy and fruitfulness, despite wrinkles and aching joints and old-fashioned ideas. We really can celebrate our postretirement vocation. We will not shake up the world or make headlines, but we can 'still bear fruit in old age.'
"It is this, after all, that counts with God--probably far more than some of your young and middle-age achievements that are now memories. Having matured and mellowed through our many years, we can exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, which, according to the apostle Paul, is 'love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control' (Gal.5:22).
"This will give purpose to our years. Our real vocation, by God's choice and commission, is being God's servants to others. Even as we busy our hands with lawns and gardens, or some other artistic enterprise or hobby, we can 'bring forth fruit in old age."
Prayer: "O Lord, may I never forget that your call to salvation is also a call to servanthood. Amen."
Hallelujah!
Pilgrim on the way
2 comments:
Wayne, Been reading your posts and find them interesting. Primroses and pansies were in many flower beds and window boxes when we visited Switzerland and France in April several years ago. What a combination! So beautiful. I now have primroses, too. Yellow and bright pink. I'd never heard the poem. Nice!
Church wagon in the Big Valley. . . where I grew up.
I like your thoughts on Acension Day. I agree, it is an important day to remember and celebrate. At least it hasn't been commercialized!
Yes, in old age we are called to minister to others and are given daily opportunities to do so. Seniors can be a blessing to others, too
We'll continue to check out your site to see what you folks are doing, reading, thinking.
Helmuths from Arthur
I'm glad you pointed out that Psalm, Wayne. Isn't it "unusual" that we may read a passage for many years and not glean from it the meaning that may be right there for us. Thanks again.
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