Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. (Proverbs 16:31 ESV)
Have you ever noticed that when you go to the doctor and fill out a health history form, no one ever asks what’s going right? They only want to know what’s wrong. There’s no space in the form to share what’s going well in your health.
In my case, there’s no family history of cancer or heart disease. However, my relatives did face vision issues like macular degeneration and glaucoma, along with minor strokes in their later years. But just because those things happened to my grandparents, does that mean I should automatically expect the same for myself?
Culturally, we tend to assume that physical health will inevitably decline as we age. And while that’s often true, there are many exceptions—typically people who have taken intentional steps throughout their lives to care for their bodies through smart choices in diet, exercise, and lifestyle. (Just look at 85-year-old actor Chuck Norris—he looks amazing!)
Scripture tells us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. If we’ve been walking with God and doing our part to care for this temple, why wouldn’t we expect to maintain good health into our later years?
We are told that, “Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.” (Deuteronomy 34:7 ESV). I would LOVE to be able to say that I lived to 120 years old with my “eyes undimmed and my vigor unabated!!”
The writer of Psalm 92 says, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree… They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock.’” (Psalm 92:12-14 ESV). And Isaiah tells us, “Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” (Isaiah 46:4 ESV).
This God who saves us and carries us wants us to bear fruit in our older age. When our spiritual roots remain drawing deeply from the well of salvation, we flourish.
Today, let us declare and proclaim these scriptures over ourselves, and let us BELIEVE that, like Moses, we can live a long and vigorous life, filled with vision and fruit!
- I will live a long life, filled with vigor and vision!
- Even in old age I will bear fruit and flourish.
- I hope in the Lord and he will renew my strength.
- I will be in good health and my soul will prosper.
- God is my refuge and fortress; he will satisfy me with long life and salvation.
God, may we never forget all your benefits! Help us to believe that we are who you say we are – renewed, satisfied, and filled with vigor and vision! AMEN.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV)
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. (3 John 1:2 NKJV)
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation. (Psalm 91:1-2, 15-16 NIV)