fast falls the eventide

Mediations on old age from Psalm 71 and other Scriptures

One

God’s Help in Old Age

“Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent.” 

(Psalm 71:9).

Introduction

I have had the privilege of spending the greater part of my working life (34 years) in pastoral ministry with three local churches. Looking back I realise that this enabled me to spend quality time in the company of elderly people. I grew to deeply admire the resilience displayed by many in the face of considerable challenges. Drawing on the inspiration received from them I would like to develop a short series of blogs which reflect on this season of human experience from a Christian perspective. However, I trust the reflections are applicable to people of any age. 

The lyrics and tune to the hymn ‘Abide with Me’ combine to provide us with one of the most poignant and beautiful hymns in the English language. 

Poignant because it describes the brevity of life in a society that does its upmost to suppress and disguise the fleeting quality of our existence. 

And beautiful because it holds out the enduring hope that faith in Jesus Christ imparts to those who trust him.

Take some time to reflect on the timeless quality of its words:

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide

The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide

When other helpers fail and comforts flee

Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day

Earth's joys grow dim, its glories pass away

Change and decay in all around I see

O Thou who changest not, abide with me

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter's power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless

Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness

Where is death's sting?

Where, grave, thy victory?

I triumph still, if Thou abide with me

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes

Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies

Heaven's morning breaks, and earth's vain shadows flee

In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me

What strikes you most about these lyrics?

For me the phrase in the first line stands out with a bold realism - “fast falls the eventide”. How many times have you heard someone say, “Where did the years go?” The gift of life is incredibly fragile and transient. I am now in my early sixties and often recall events in my youth as if they happened yesterday! 

I have also faced some health challenges over the recent past which have made me appreciate more than ever what many elderly people already live out. The importance of “living one day at a time”.

Psalm 71 is a wonderful starting point for our contemplations because in it the psalmist meditates on God’s help in old age.

For many people growing old is an unavoidable fact of life, often linked with inevitable fears. The psalmist writes as an old man (v. 9, 18) and addressees some of those concerns. In speaking to God he says, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent” (verse 9). In spite of these problems, he is filled with praise to the Lord. “My praise is continually of you” (verse 6 se also verses 8,14 and 22).

From Psalm 71 I would like to draw out two main thoughts. Firstly, the psalm highlights…

➡️ An Elderly Person’s Perspective on Life

As the psalmist surveyed his earthly experience he recognised the faithfulness of God (verse 22). Over his long life enemies and hard times have surrounded him. On occasions people have whispered in his ear that God has left him. In these moments he took a backward look and recognised the reliability of God’s care since his birth (verses 5-6). And as a result, he stayed confident and looked upon God as a secure rock and safe fortress. He even broke out in song, “I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God” (Verse 22).

The psalmist longed to impart this experience of the faithfulness of God to the rising generations. “There is no doubt in his mind that God’s great acts in the past are meant to benefit the people of the future” (Michael Wilcox). His goal was to use his remaining time to teach younger people and future generations about God's power, justice, and goodness.

It is surely part of God’s gracious provision to his people that we can draw on such a perspective from those who have a long view of life to help us in our walk with God.

And secondly, Psalm 71 contains…

➡️ An Elderly Person’s Prayer to God 

The entire psalm is a prayer to God. In it the psalmist acknowledged his vulnerability (verse 9). However, he also looked to God to give him stability in life (verse 3). He affirmed his trust in the Lord and in doing so discovered that his ultimate security in life rests solely in him. Take time to ponder all he says about the Lord:

“You are my rock and refuge” (v.3)

“You, O Lord, are my hope” (v.5)

“You have been my strength and protection” (v.7)

“You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?” (v.19)

“You are faithful to your promises, O my God” (v.22)

“(The Psalmist) can look back over many years of experience of the great deeds of an incomparable God” (Michael Wilcox).

Conclusion

If you are younger in years then it will benefit you greatly to spend time in the orbit of an elderly man or woman of God who has proved the faithfulness of God in life. Find such a person!

And if you find yourself in the twilight years, allow Psalm 71 to encourage and strengthen your faith.

The Heidelberg Catechism of the 17th century begins with this question and answer…

“What is your only comfort in life and in death?

That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ.” 

I belong to “my faithful Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Amen

(Picture - The Summer Isles from Rhue lighthouse)

The following is an outline of what we will focus on in the coming months (the first Monday of each month)…

Two

Life’s Little Day

Walking the path of life

“Abide with us, for evening approaches, and the day is almost over”.

(Luke 24:29)

Three

Live From the Inside Out

Handling the limitations of age

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal”.

(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Four

Handing On The Torch

Investing in the rising generations 

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others”.

(2 Timothy 2:1-2)

Five

Strength for Today…

Dealing with infirmity and suffering 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

(2 Corinthians 12:9)

Six

…Bright Hope for Tomorrow 

Contemplating our eternal home  

“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

(2 Corinthians 5:1)

Seven

Finishing Well

Anticipating the end (of the beginning)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”.

(2 Timothy 4:7-8)