O the freedom of our youth. We go where we desire, we eat as we will, we drink and rejoice as a new born babe. All of our days are full of strength and wonder, we rejoice in the wife of our youth. We have hair of new fresh color, and our minds are hard and ready for anything that may come our way. We think quickly and react faster, we are invincible in our minds, and our body's believe it. Woe is the man of age, for all things become different.
"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not." (John 21:18)
Oh, the pain of age, when the hair becomes white, the eyes grow dim, and the hearing is passing by. I use to be young, and now I am old. I use to make decisions that affected many, but now I can't even decide for myself, what I am to wear for this day. I had pleasure in the day, but as night falls, my pleasure is turned to pain. My sleep use to be sweet, and now it is full of despair, Oh, woe is me.
Remember me my children, as once a lion, and now as a sheep. Once, I was a predator, and now only the prey to death, and the grave. I see you dimly as I was in the midst of sleep. Bring me flowers while I live, so I can enjoy what the Lord has made, for after this age delivers me to the grave, I can no longer praise the Lord.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? (Psa 6:2-5)
Psa 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come. My children, have I done all, that I could, to show you the Son? Have I testified to the truth, have I shown you the Father openly, have I lived, as I have asked you to live? Tell me now, while I can still hear. Tell me now, while I can still testify and rejoice in the name of the Lord. Tell me now, while I can still speak, and know with a full mind, for my body is weak, as the tender branch of a new sapling.
Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. As my hair grows gray and the eyes of an eagle have become almost the eyes of the dead, do you not hear what I say, or is there some kind of misunderstanding between my mind and what you perceive? Don't take me where I do not wish to go, do not cloth me in garments not suited to my nature.
Oh Lord, am I not clothed in your righteousness, am I not of those that has given my life to you, all the days of my sojourning? I know, Lord that you have promised to be with me all the days of my life, and I have acknowledged you in all my ways. Show your mercies upon me and give of me some of your strength so I can bear the unbearable. "O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart."(Psa 36:10)
I must praise thee when I am well, and full of strength, and I will praise thee also when I am weak, and gray. Many can not understand this for they only see the flesh, and not the spirit. I praise thee at the time of disaster, and times of peace, I praise thee at times of famine, and at times of plenty. I worship thee at the times of light, and when the sun is darkened. I praise thee for thy excellent Greatness, and thy mercies. For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. (Psa 71:5)
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. (Psa 17:15)
If I must go, then let your words be my final prayer; "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." ars.
Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Ministries
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons
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