The Young Versus the Old

 I know it makes some people feel uncomfortable when I speak about "old" people. It is much more diplomatic to refer to people as being "older" or senior adults. However, for the sake of communicating this truth from God's Word today, I need to use the same categories that the Lord uses in His Word. When we are young, we have certain advantages over old people. At the same time, old people have advantages over young people. It is part of life.

The Bible gives us an insight into these advantages that is helpful for all of us. (Proverbs 20:29) "The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head." I believe the words "glory" and "splendor" are synonymous with the word advantage. Both show the good things about being in that time of life. Let me give a personal illustration to get the point across.

Back in 1982 I was 27 years old on April 20, the day my little sister died at Emory hospital in Decatur. I was there with Chris and my parents. I had been reading a chapter of Proverbs every day of the month, so I read Proverbs 20 that morning before going to the hospital. As they ushered us into a small room, so we could comfort each other, Dad asked me to say a prayer. Because I was a young man, I had the strength to say that prayer and keep my composure. That is why God had me there that day to help my parents.

My Dad was especially grieving over Jan's death, because she was his only little girl. She was 24, and it hurt both of my parents to see her go to heaven that soon. However, Dad had the splendor of old men, his gray hair. That gray head showed his wisdom gained over the years. When he asked for prayer, he asked me to "give thanks to God for giving us Jan." I still marvel at his wisdom and his heart to make that request and not to be upset with God. So, God supplied a young man for strength and an old man for wisdom. What a blessing!

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 23-25.