BIG IDEA:
SPIRITUAL WARFARE DOES NOT ALLOW FOR RETIREMENT IN OUR OLD AGE
INTRODUCTION:
Retirement is not an option in the Christian life as we struggle against sin and against the enemies of our soul. We are called to persevere in the faith, and that requires active effort on our part. Despite following the Lord faithfully from our youth, we receive no free passes in our old age. We are even more responsible to testify to the Lord’s righteousness and power in continuing to give us the victory and deliver us from our enemies.
I. (:1-6) OLD AGE IS NOT A TIME TO LIVE IN THE PAST —
WE MUST CONTINUE TO FIGHT THE SPIRITUAL WARFARE AND TAKE REFUGE IN GOD AS OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
A. God is still our Refuge
“In Thee, O Lord, I have taken refuge” (:1)
“Thou art my rock and my fortress” (:3b)
B. God is still our Deliverer
“In Thy righteousness deliver me, and rescue me;
Incline Thine ear to me, and save me.” (:2)
“Rescue me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked,
Out of the grasp of the wrongdoer and ruthless man” (:4)
C. God is still our Hope
“Let me never be ashamed” (:1b)
“For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, my confidence from my youth” (:5)
D. God is still our Sustainer
“By Thee I have been sustained from my birth;
Thou art He who took me from my mother’s womb;” (:6a)
(:6b) Response: “My praise is continually of Thee.”
II. (:7-11) OLD AGE MAKES US LOOK WEAK AND VULNERABLE —
BUT GOD WILL NOT FORSAKE US
(despite how our situation might look to our enemies)
A. (:7) Surprising Resiliency: When we are weak God shows His strength
“I have become a marvel to many; For Thou art my strong refuge”
B. (:9) Sobering Reality: When we grow old we do grow weak
“Do not cast me off in the time of old age;
Do not forsake me when my strength fails.”
C. (:10-11) Scheming Treachery
“For my enemies have spoken against me;
And those who watch for my life have consulted together,
Saying, ‘God has forsaken him; Pursue and seize him,
for there is no one to deliver.’”
(:8) Response: “My mouth is filled with Thy praise, And with thy glory all day long.”
III. (:12-21) OLD AGE OFFERS GREAT OPPORTUNITIES TO TESTIFY TO GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SAVING POWER
A. (:12) Cry for Help
“O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help!”
B. (:13) Cry for Vengeance
“Let those who are adversaries of my soul be ashamed and consumed;
Let them be covered with reproach and dishonor, who seek to injure me.”
C. (:14a) Proclamation of Confidence
“But as for me, I will hope continually.”
D. (:15-21) Proclamation of God’s Righteousness and Saving Power
(:14b) Response: “And will praise Thee yet more and more”
IV. (:22-24) OLD AGE IS A TIME TO EXULT IN NEW VICTORIES — WITH YOUTHFUL SHOUTS OF JOY
Response of continual Praise