“Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.”
— Psalm 71:18 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
You can almost picture the psalmist squinting into the future, realizing time is catching up but feeling this burning urgency to pass on the baton of faith.
I mean, let’s be real—getting older can sometimes feel like the universe’s way of showing you who’s boss. You wake up with mystery aches, you misplace your glasses (and they’re on your head), and suddenly, you’re calling people “kids” even if they’re like 30. But in this psalm, there’s something so beautiful about how aging isn’t about fading out quietly into the background. Instead, the psalmist is like, “Nope, I’ve still got things to do! I’ve still got a testimony to shout about.”
And honestly, this verse has a kind of humble swagger to it. It’s not a desperate plea, like “Please don’t let me go irrelevant.” It’s more like, “Hey God, I know You’ve been with me since forever, so don’t retire me yet! There’s still a fire in these bones!” It’s that sense of still having purpose, no matter how many candles are on the cake. And the purpose isn’t just about personal fulfillment—it’s about the next generation.
What’s cool here is the sense of responsibility. It’s like the older you get, the more you realize it’s not just about what you’ve learned for your own sake, but about what you can give. You’ve got stories of God showing up, providing, rescuing, and let’s be honest—sometimes humorously bailing you out of dumb decisions. People need to hear those stories! Faith isn’t some museum exhibit to be dusted off now and then; it’s alive, kicking, and waiting to be handed down. The psalmist isn’t saying, “Let me keep going for my sake,” but “Let me keep going so I can brag about You, God, to the younger crowd.”
It’s like the spiritual version of passing the mic at a family reunion. You’ve had your time to speak, but you know there’s a whole bunch of cousins who haven’t heard the story about how Uncle Joe got his nickname because God stepped in at just the right moment. The next generation needs that! They need to hear how faith carried you, how God’s power isn’t just a Sunday school lesson but something that you’ve lived.
So, yeah. This verse? It’s a rallying cry. No matter how many wrinkles you’ve got or how silver your hair turns (if it hasn’t already checked out and disappeared), there’s work to do. There’s a legacy to pass on. You’re still in the game, and God’s still in the business of showing His might to the world through you—whether you’re 18 or 80.
And let’s be real: if you’re old enough to say “back in my day” unironically, then you’ve definitely got stories worth telling. So go ahead, embrace the gray, but keep the fire alive. God’s not done with you yet.
Personal Prayer
Lord, You’ve been with me from the very beginning, through every season of my life. Now, as I grow older and the years leave their mark, I come to You with a heart still full of hope and purpose. Even as my strength fades, I ask that You never leave my side. Let my voice be loud in sharing Your goodness with those who come after me.
I want the next generation to know You like I do—to see Your power, to feel Your presence, and to trust in Your faithfulness through every joy and every trial. Use my story, my experiences, and even my mistakes to show Your glory. Let me be a living testimony of Your grace, a witness to Your mighty acts that have shaped my life.
Father, give me the strength to keep serving, to keep loving, and to keep proclaiming Your name until my very last breath. Let my life be a legacy of faith that points others to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.