Teachings – Fruitful Old Trees

FRUITFUL OLD TREES

UNFOLDING ELEVEN

WHERE WE ARE

If we are in Christ Jesus, then we are as transplanted trees – taken out of the wild, darkened forests and planted in our Master’s house and courtyard. This is a planting that God alone – in His sovereign authority and in the counsel of His own will – brings to pass by the quickening of the Holy Spirit. Once planted, we shall never be uprooted but shall live out the rest of our days in His presence. To that end, may we all be as faithful as that great man of old Caleb, who – despite his age – sought to pursue and fight against the giants in the land. (Joshua 14: 6-15) 

SCRIPTURE

Isaiah 46:4

Even to your old age, I am He,
And even to gray hairs I will carry you!
I have made, and I will bear;
Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

Psalm 71: 9

Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.

FRUITFUL OLD TREES
UNFOLDING ELEVEN

How did Pastor feel about the elderly in Christ? They are –  

“… growing sweeter, better, holier, when others are not growing at all, and the they shall bring forth fruit in old age.”

As for their fruit? Their –  

• Testimony.
• Savor… of a long and deep experience to things others have only begun to experience in sweetness,
• Patience, having suffered so long and enjoyed the tender mercies of God, and
• Calm, quiet confidence in God. 

Indeed, older Christians have a fulness of savor (fragrance about them) and life in them. As for those who had aged but who had not borne fruit? Pastor put it this way: 

‘I have known some Christians, both old and young, who have been very dry sticks, not fat and flourishing certainly; they had very little savor, very little unction, though they had very sharp teeth to bite the young people with; they were very critical, very ready to look harshly at them, and ask them hard questions; and if they could not spell the biggest word in the whole confession of faith, they have said, “Ah, the young people nowadays are not what they used to be in my time.”‘

Yes, God forgive us are older now and forgot what being young was like. In sum, the elderly should remember the young, encourage them. Why? 

“It is a faithful God we serve, and He keeps His people alive in their old age, that they may show that He is a faithful and upright God.”

THOUGHT GOING FORWARD

I am soon to be seventy-one. I can tell you that without Jesus, and the glorious testimony in my life, I would be that dry old stick. I have said, and will continue to say, that you cannot truly understand Romans 8: 28,

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose,”

until the length of life is sufficient to look back and see the succession of untangled knots and seemingly frayed ends that held you to your heavenly mooring. However, I remember being young, and while I want to believe that I have something to say to them… well, as I said, I was young once.

IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RHYMES

How do I know the Spirit and Soul are immortal?
both are alive today and as vibrant as ever.
Though with weakened muscles, weary bones, aching back…
the body says it is time to sleep – to be laid to rest.
My Spirit and Soul are ready!
To that I say, let my body catch up later.