Torch, Fall 1986

4 Seniors with Great Hearts by Dr. James T. Jeremiah After 25 years as President of Cedarville College , Dr. James T. Jeremiah is now Chancellor of the college. He speaks frequently in churches and Bible conferences. I n spite of all the claims of miracles by the charlatans of our day, no one has yet either eliminated old age or terminated death. Both are realities we all must face and accept. The Bible reminds us : "The days of our years are threescore and ten; and if by reason of strength they are fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away" (Psalm 90: 10) . The cry of many is expressed by the unknown writer of Psalm 71 :9. "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth ." Psalm 92:13,14 promises those who have lived for God: "Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing ." "And even to your old age ... ," God says , " ... to hoar [gray] hairs will I carry you ... " (Isaiah 46:4). The Bible gives several illustrations of godly people who did not terminate their service for God because of their age. They neither sought lives that were easy nor refused to assume responsibility . They did not turn away from the needs of others. These people truly had a heart for God. THE FAITHFUL HEART No Christian ever becomes too old to be a witness for Christ. Consider the example of Anna. The Bible says she was of great age - at least 84 and perhaps older. After the death of her husband , she continued to serve God faithfully with " .. .fastings and prayers night and day" (Luke 2:36 ,37) . Her great loss did not ruin her faith. Unlike some , she was not overcome with loneliness. She found peace and satisfaction in her faithful service for God . To be in the house of God was the only thing her heart desired. What a help faithful women like Anna can be to a godly pastor. An aged saint , or any believer for that matter , who faithfully attends church and prays for God's blessing upon his ministry is a great encouragement to the one who preaches. Anna's faithfulness was the expression of her expectation that the Redeemer was coming. When the infant Jesus was brought to the Temple by His parents, Simeon cried out, "For mine eyes have seen thy salvation" (Luke 2:30). Hearing this, Anna became the first woman missionary to proclaim the Lord: "And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38) . Anna's example makes it difficult for anyone to criticize an older person who faithfully serves the Lord Jesus Christ. It also puts to silence anyone who minimizes the ministry of a godly woman who desires to express openly her love for the Saviour. Whether she was 84 or past I 00 , Anna had been waiting for a long time to hear of the coming of the Redeemer, and she was one of the first to announce His arrival . THE YOUNG HEART The Word of God also tells us about an old m~ who had a young heart. Caleb was not content with an average existence . Walled cities , great giants, or weak– willed contemporaries never discouraged him (Numbers 16:30). He asked for Hebron , a mountain which was occupied by giants. Forty-five years before , God had promised the mountain to him , and the time had come to possess it. " .. .I am this day fourscore and