Keith Sharp
When I was a youngster I enjoyed hearing my dad preach on the book of Ecclesiastes. When he got to Ecclesiastes12:1-7 and cleverly explained Solomon’s poetic description of the debilities that accompany old age and eventual death, I thought it was quite funny. Now that I’m a “senior citizen,” as my mother used to say, “Tain’t funny, McGee!”
The preacher (Ecclesiastes 1:1) admonishes young people to enjoy life while they can, but to keep God in their lives, because childhood and youth are vain (11:7-11), that is, they are fleeting and temporary. Old folks often observe to uncomprehending young folks how quickly life flies by.
Then follows a sadly beautiful, poetic description of the advancing bodily decay that leads to eventual death (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7). Waves of trouble and sorrow follow one upon another (verse 2). The hands begin to tremble, the teeth fall out, the back and legs weaken and bend, the eyes grow dim (verse 3). Hearing fails, sleep is difficult and easily interrupted, and the voice fails (verse 4). The loss of balance causes fear of heights, the brave young man becomes a timid old man, the hair turns snowy white (or falls out), strength and bodily appetites fail (verse 5). The time comes to return to the “eternal home, and the mourners go about the street” (verse 5). Our most precious, earthly possession – life – is taken irremediably away. We will never walk this way again.
The silver cord is loosed, … the golden bowl is broken, … the pitcher shattered at the fountain, … the wheel broken at the well. Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it (verses 6-7).
Yes, that is sad, and Solomon so declares it. He encourages young people to remember God and thus to fully enjoy life “before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’” (verse 1). The pains, difficulties, and troubles of advancing age make it very difficult to enjoy life. Add to this the facts that some are lonely and sad due to the loss of their spouse, some feel they are useless since they no longer have husband and children at home for whom they care, or they no longer work to provide for family, and life can be very depressing.
So, what can old folks do? Paul described himself as “Paul, the aged” (Philemon verse 9). He had some sort of a bodily infirmity that gave him difficulty (2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Galatians 4:13-14), he apparently had poor eyesight (Galatians 4:15; 6:11), and he endured incredible suffering for the Lord (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). As his life neared its violent end (2 Timothy 4:6), he was in prison, virtually alone, and in need of a warm coat (2 Timothy 1:8; 4:9-13,20-21). At the time he wrote to the Philippians, he was in chains in prison (Philippians 1:12-14), he was being criticized by some of his brethren in Christ (Philippians 1:15-16), and he faced the imminent possibility of a violent, unjust death (Philippians 1:19-26).
But still he could truthfully assert, “I have learned in whatever state I am to be content” (Philippians 4:11-13). He advised the Philippians how to have peace and joy regardless of what life brought them (Philippians 4:4,8). The keys to peace and joy are complete dedication to Christ (Philippians 1:21), humble obedience to God and service to others (Philippians 2:3-10), spiritual mindedness (Philippians 3:8), gentleness to others (Philippians 4:4-5), prayer (Philippians 4:6-7), and mental focus on things that are good (Philippians 4:8), yes, a positive outlook on life. After all, the worst that can happen is death, and, for the faithful in Christ, that means we get to go and be with the Lord (Philippians 1:21).
Believing Prayer is an important tool to overcome anxiety and depression.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).
We must leave our troubles with our loving Father in prayer, ask Him for what we think we need, and trust Him to do what is best for our salvation.
But our prayers must be accompanied with thanksgiving (Ibid). He has promised to supply what we need (Matthew 6:31-34), and He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Instead of complaining (Philippians 2:14), thank the Lord for the freedom, prosperity, and security we have. Over the last twenty years I have had African preacher friends die suddenly of unknown maladies, be murdered, die in tragic accidents, and live on the edge of starvation. Yet most maintain cheerful, thankful attitudes. How can we complain?
Complete dedication to Christ means we will assemble with the brethren every time we can (Hebrews 10:19-25), and we will thus encourage each other to “love and good works” (verse 24). A focus on helping others takes our minds off our own troubles (Philippians 2:4). There is something each can do to be useful. The one talent man was condemned, not for having little ability, but for failing to use what he did have (Matthew 25:24-30).
Those still in “the prime of life” (Ecclesiastes 11:10, New American Standard Bible) need to consider the needs of those advanced in age (Philippians 2:5), show them respect (1 Peter 2:17; 5:5), and do things to help them meet the trials of aging. Include them in social activities, check on them, visit with them. Someday you will be like them.
The dark days must come for all. We will have days of loneliness, pain, sickness, and weakness. The silver cord will eventually be loosed for each. We must so live that we may echo Paul, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
