Sand Mountain Sermonette 38
Psalm 92:12-15; Matthew 5:16; James Exodus 16:2-8
Papaw’s Long-sleeved Shirt
“The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green, to declare that the Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:12-15
I still remember sitting with my grandfather Mabrey in the softball stands of our hometown one hot summer Alabama afternoon as I was waiting for my church softball team to play. Papaw was a big fan of our team and would come often to watch us play. And on that day, I remember he was wearing his all-familiar long-sleeved style of shirt which was also buttoned at the top; one that he wore all year long. I also remember asking Papaw why he wore a long-sleeved shirt when it was so hot. And he said, “Louie, it’s because I stay cold all the time.” Well, I can tell you that although I did not understand his statement personally at the time, I sure do now, for I am only a few days away from my sixty-fifth birthday as I write this sermonette and I find that I prefer a long-sleeved shirt in warmer weather a lot more than I used to!
Christian, the psalmist, whom I believe was older himself, offers us the way to stay young in the Lord as we grow older. Pastor Charles Stanley said, “Our bodies may age, but we get older only if we choose to do so—attitude is what makes the difference.” My grandfather had a wonderful and encouraging attitude. For example, if he received a wrong order at a restaurant, he never called the waitress back to complain and make his order right, he would say, in contrast to family members who insisted he do so, “I can learn to like this.” Papaw also loved to be around all ages and all ages loved to be around him. He would listen to every word I would speak and every question I asked and would always encourage me in times of difficulty. And another thing about my grandfather; he enjoyed being old!
So, here is the deal. First, the psalmist is calling us to be content with the fact that we are growing older. Yes, we may experience more aches and pains than we did when we were younger, but it is our choice to either be a “light” for Christ in this dark world (Matthew 5:16) or to be a grumbler like the Israelites of old when they complained to God in the desert (James Exodus 16:2-8).
Secondly, the psalmist is calling God’s people to grow and flourish like the palm trees as well as the majestic cedars of Lebanon that Solomon used to foundationally frame the great Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Christian, as we grow older, we grow and flourish as we remain “planted” in the Lord by staying in His word and allowing His truths to take deep root in our lives in addition to having daily conversations with God in our private “prayer place.” And do not forget, even if you are retired, continue to labor for the Lord in the place He has planted you! In this manner, you will remain a very “green” (fruit-bearing) and “sappy” (Jesus-connected) Christian all your life! And these are great things!
Pastor “Medicare” Louie