No Exemptions

A while ago my husband received a summons for jury duty.

For the first time in his life, he qualified for an exemption. He could be excused from jury service simply by affirming: "I am over seventy years of age and do not wish to serve."

What a convenient way out!

Sometimes in my weaker moments I wish for a similar old-age exemption from trials of faith. Wouldn't it be pleasant if we could be excused from afflictions simply by affirming, "I'm too old for this!"

Instead, we face some of life's toughest trials when we are elderly--chronic pain; loss of a spouse; reduced mental acuity; limited mobility; minimized living quarters.

In sovereign wisdom, God allows his aged believers to encounter strong tests of faith.

Consider what happens to Daniel.

The old statesman is in his eighties when King Darius decrees that everyone must pray only to the king. Death by lions' jaws awaits anyone who disobeys. What does aging Daniel do?

He keeps on with his lifelong habit of seeking God's face:

When Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God...and asking for God's help. (Daniel 6:10-11 NLT)

We know the Lord is attentive to Daniel's prayers. We know Daniel is well beloved by God. We know his faith has already been tested in younger years.

Nevertheless, the Lord does not exempt him from a frightening trial in old age. Daniel is thrown into the lions' den--alone, at night (when everything seems worse), with ferocious beasts snarling.

Daniel is cast utterly upon the mercy of the God whom he has served all his life.

The next morning, Daniel is exultant about his new experience of God. While still inside the lions' den, he shouts to the anxious king: "Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me!" (Daniel 6:21 NLT)

Daniel has now seen the power of God in a new setting. Even in the dark, even in loneliness, even in frightening surroundings--God is more than sufficient for his beloved old servant.

Daniel's trust in the Lord results in wide witness, as King Darious sends a global decree:

"Everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God...His kingdom will never be destroyed...He rescues and saves his people...He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." (Daniel 6:226-27 NLT)

The trust of one old man resounds to God's glory far and wide.

We never know what the Lord has in mind when we fall into various afflictions in old age. There are no exemptions!

Like Daniel, let's keep seeking God's face as we have always done. There are no exemptions to the promise that God's grace is sufficient for each of us.

©MarionSpeicherBrown





Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 22, 2017 at 12:56 PM

    Just discovered your blog -- delighted you have these online and available to share! -cb

    ReplyDelete

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