They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,

Psalm 92:12-15

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”


Today’s title is “Stay Fresh and Green Forever”

People get old. It’s a fact of life. But people don’t like it. People want to stay young. They get frustrated when they find out that they are getting old. I believe that the efforts to stay young isn’t necessarily bad. It could mean staying healthy and energetic even at old age. But if anyone just tries to avoid the reality of getting old, he is a fool. The bible tells us to be fully aware of the imminent reality of life such as getting old. But it shows a very different view of old age from the worldly view. The worldly view of old age is fundamentally negative and pessimistic. It views getting older as getting weaker and getting closer to death. The bible doesn’t deny that there are such sobering things in becoming older. But the Bible shows that there are much greater positive things in becoming old. Most of the biblical characters become far more wise and mature as they get old. They generally become godlier and have greater intimacy with God. That is exactly why Apostle Paul says, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). We see the same encouraging blessings of God for aged people in today’s psalm. Today’s psalm shows the beautiful and fruitful life of old age for those who are planted in the house of the Lord. They will stay fresh and green. They will grow like a palm tree and like a cedar of Lebanon. They will still bear fruits. They will flourish in the courts of God. What a beautiful picture of old age! Whoever reads this psalm seriously wishes to be old like this. I have seen enough of sad and painful pictures of old ages in the world. But here is a totally different way of getting older by the grace of God. Why would anyone shun away from old age if this is what God has in store for us? How old are you? Are you already afraid of getting older? You don’t have to as long as you are planted in God’s house. How can you be planted in God’s house? Jesus gave us a clear and simple answer. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me!” Isn’t this good news for an old man as well as a young man who will become old in their time?