The Longevity Psalm
Psalm 92:12-15 NLT
12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees
and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.
13 For they are transplanted to the Lord's own house.
They flourish in the courts of our God.
14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit;
they will remain vital and green.
15 They will declare, "The Lord is just!
He is my rock!
There is no evil in him!"
There is an ever-increasing interest in longevity today. The cover of the latest Time Magazine features a scientific longevity leader. I haven't taken the time to read the article, but I am sure of one thing. The concept that godly living, living for God and His kingdom, that has a positive impact on longevity, will not be mentioned.
Our verses for today bring to light a biblical truth that may not yet be proved scientifically, but I use the word "yet." "The godly will flourish like the palm tree and grow strong like the cedar of Lebanon." The cedar of Lebanon was considered the king of trees in the ancient world. It can grow to over one hundred feet with large branches. And can live for centuries. It has a very strong and deep root system that keeps it extremely stable, and its wood is resistant to insects, rot, and fungi. It's quite a tree. And when describing longevity, this tree may be one of the best examples and metaphors of a life lived for God.
And you have to love verse fourteen that declares that even in old age, they will still produce fruit. Not that I have reached old age, but it's good to know that growing older in the Lord does not mean a decline in fruitfulness. They will remain vital and green, or in other words, stay full of life. The King James version says, they shall be fat and flourishing. I like vital as opposed to fat and flourishing instead of green, but the point is clear: there are still good things going on even as we age. I think we have underestimated the impact of living close to God. Living for the Lord does not only mean good things when we leave this earth, but good things while we are still here. Paul wrote to Timothy that godliness is profitable for this life and the one to come.
The Lord is my rock. He is our strength, even as our natural bodies age, the inward man is renewed day by day. Maybe you have known someone who just lived a hard life where sin was dominant. With many, you can see the effects of sin on their outward man. By the same token, those who live for the Lord have godly life working in them.
We may not have a cure for aging, but we don't have to speed up the process.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your life in me. Thank You that the life in me is keeping me flourishing even as I get older.