Hurrah! “They shall still bear fruit in old age”

Hurrah! “They shall still bear fruit in old age”

Wednesday 7-27-2016   Home in Modesto

Scripture Reading:  Isaiah 50 – 52   Psalm 92    2 Peter 1

S=Scripture  O=Observation  A=Application  P=Prayer  SOAP for the soul.

S.  Ps 92:12-15 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.  Those who are planted in the house of the LORD Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. NKJV

2 Peter 1:13-15 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you, knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. NKJV

O.  The psalmist uses the metaphor of ancient trees that will still flourish and bear fruit in old age.  Peter refers to his body as a tent where he lives, but the Lord Jesus Christ has showed him that he will soon be “putting off his tent”.  So this, his final letter, is so beautifully written to leave behind a heritage of encouragement to his fellow servants of God.

A.  For some reason scriptures that offer hope and strength to the elderly seem to leap off the page when I read them. J I want this old tree to keep fresh and flourishing, declaring the goodness of God and bearing spiritual fruit. 

P.  Lord Jesus, You have not disclosed to me that I am about to be carried to glory, but I am fully aware that the day is getting closer with every sunrise.  Oh!  What a day that will be!  But it is my desire, my joy to be a fruitful tree right up to that last day.  And may I be able to say to each of my dearest loved ones without hesitating, “See you later, over on the other side!”  What a way to go!  Amen.

Ralph 

Oh!  That will be Glory!

Charles Gabriel 1900

1.      When all my labors and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore,
Will through the ages be glory for me.

o    Refrain:
Oh, that will be glory for me,
Glory for me, glory for me,
When by His grace I shall look on His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.

2.      When, by the gift of His infinite grace,
I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on His face,
Will through the ages be glory for me.

3.      Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
Joy like a river around me will flow;
Yet just a smile from my Savior, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me.