“They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” – Psalm 92:14

Today, you could easily be accused of being ‘divisive’ if you mention the words ‘old age’ in a certain country.

Yet, cientists are yet to reach consensus on the definition of the concept of “old age.”

In our traditional African culture, a person usually qualifies to be called an ‘elder’ after the age of 45 years.

However, globally, old age is considered to begin after 65 years, which is generally associated with both official retirement and eligibility for seniors’ benefits.

Today, the oldest living person is a Japanese lady called Kane Tanaka, who is 121 years old, according to the Gerontology Research Group.

Of course, that is just a fraction of Methuselah’s age – the longest-lived man ever – who died at the age of 969 years according to Genesis 5:27.

This mzee wa kazi produced Lameck, his last-born, when he was 187, phew!

The country with the highest life expectancy in Japan, largely attributed to several factors including healthy diet, active lifestyle, and strong social support networks.

But even in countries with very high life expectancy, the general population are afflicted by gerontophobia – the fear of old age.

Many people dread the physical challenges that often accompany aging, such as decreased mobility, decline in cognitive function, memory loss, and a reduced ability to perform tasks they once did easily.

Also, some people worry about whether they will have enough financial resources to support themselves  and their dependents as they age.

Indeed, in many cultures, ‘age discrimination’ is rampant as ‘old age’ is associated with loss of status, productivity, vitality or attractiveness, which can contribute to fear and negative attitudes towards aging.

Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

ISAIAH 46:4

In a bid to curtail some of these anxieties, some countries have enacted laws making age discrimination illegal.

For example, US law prohibits discrimination against individuals who are 40 years of age or older in employment decisions.

Other jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the European Union, Japan, etc, also have similar laws.

In other words, these countries take the dictum, ‘age is just a number’ literally.

Our meditation today is a promise to those of us who are being described as or who may be afflicted by gerontophobia in its varying degrees.

“They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing,” says the Word of God.

Please mark the key word; ‘still.’

There are a number of men of God in the Bible who realized this promise in their lives. I will cite only two – Moses and Caleb.

Deuteronomy 34:7 says; “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.”

In Joshua 14:10-12, Caleb – one of the 12 spies that Moses sent out in Numbers 13 – testified; “Now then, just as the Lord promised, He has kept me alive for 45 years since the time He said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, 85 years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now, give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day.”

I mean at a time when life expectancy was extremely low due to non-existent health services, here is an 85-year-old mzee still looking forward to fighting wars and an entire hill country to possess!

And you bro; how old are you, by the way? There are still battles to be won and inheritance to be possessed, says the Father!

Isaiah 46:4 says; “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”

You shall continue bearing/producing fruit – spiritually, intellectually, professionally, academically, financially, socially, etc. Shout a big Amen!