July 01, 2025 | Be God's Family
Never Too Old
Scripture: Hebrews 11:11-12(NIV)
11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
Devotional
Today’s scripture reminds us that God kept His covenant with Abraham when Sarah gave birth to Isaac at the age of ninety. When Abraham learned that Sarah would conceive in Genesis 17, he responded by laughing. His immediate reaction makes sense in normal human terms as one hundred-year-old men and ninety-year-old women do not normally start families. Human terms, however, do not apply when God is involved. The writer was reminding the Hebrews that, through God, all things are possible.
As I initially started researching items for this devotional, I was drawn to the idea of mentioning notable accomplishments made by people in the eighth, ninth, and tenth decades of life. Peter Mark Roget published his Roget’s Thesaurus at the age of 73 and continued to assist with later editions until he was into his 90s. Doris Haddock, affectionately referred to as Granny D, walked over 3,200 miles from Los Angeles to Washington, DC, between the ages of 88 and 90 to raise awareness for campaign finance reform. Warren Buffet, at the age of 94, continues to be the very active, hands-on CEO of the fifth largest American-based company. Anna Mary Robertson Moses, better known as Grandma Moses, began painting in her 70s and completed over 1,000 highly-regarded works by the time of her death at the age of 101.
All of these accomplishments are impressive and would be regardless of the age of the person completing it. God, no doubt, had a hand in all of these successes. These achievements should serve as motivators to those concerned that age could prevent one from trying something, but I sometimes look at it slightly differently. While the story of Abraham and Sarah can be seen through the prism of encouraging people of advanced age to attempt the impossible with the knowledge that God is always present, I think it also implores us not to wait to attempt something. Whether we are 10 or 100, we do not know when our last day will come. When embarking on a journey at any age, asking God for His presence makes the unlikely possible. God’s plan for you is great, and there is no better day to work into it than today as He says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Have you ever found your age to a limiting factor in achieving God’s plan for your life? What factors are truly holding you back? Have you asked for God’s assistance and guidance?
Poem
Promise
Psalm 48
For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.
Psalm 48:15
It matters less the promise
But more the one who made the vow
For words are thrown around these days
Their follow through in doubt
To make a vow is easy
To keep one, very hard
Security’s reputation made
By what’s actually procured
So, when you hear a promise
Walk ‘round its giver’s base
How steady is this speaker?
How firm its history’s face?
How faithful is its past record?
How true its full intention?
How often must reminders come?
How often must one mention
Reminding of the promise?
A Promise Keeper sure
Is only God, eternally
Our guidance to ensure
