Jerry McGhee, Pastor
Joshua 13:1 says, “Now Joshua was old and stricken in years, and the Lord said unto him, thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.”
I have been told that for the Christian, there is no set “retirement age,” because there is always more to do, “more land to possess.” Joshua had survived his time in Egypt as a slave, 40 years in the wilderness wandering with the people of Israel. He had led the long, hard conquest of the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, and now was at least 80 years old. Not only did his body tell him he was old, even God told him he was old. But instead of allowing Joshua to settle down and enjoy a few years of retirement and rest, God sent Joshua out once again to fight new battles.
It seems to me that this is the calling of a follower of Jesus Christ. There are Scriptures to study, untold millions yet to be reached with the good news of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and money to be raised for missions.
Even when too old or infirmed for active service, still there are prayers to be offered. No one who has experienced the grace and forgiveness of God is too old to possess more “land for the Lord.”
Old age eventually comes to all who survive their youth and middle age, but that does not mean we lie down or quit. “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (Psalms 71:17, 18)
As the great-grandfather of six, I view my job today as every bit important as in my youth to declare and model God’s love and grace to my family and all who will hear. That, I believe, is the responsibility of us all.
The Sun Lakes Community Church believes that its primary reason for existence is to point anyone, and all who will hear, to the One who can set men free from the bondage and penalty of sin which separates us from God. We welcome you to come and experience God’s presence as we worship Him each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Sun Lakes Chapel on Sun Lakes Blvd. located across the street from the Sun Lakes Country Club clubhouse.