The Lord will not Forsake You

Psalm 71.9:  "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth."

A few weeks ago, I read the book Fighting for Dear Life by attorney David Gibbs III.  It is the account of his legal defense of Terry Schiavo.  Many of you will remember the heroic effort that her family fought to keep her alive over the wishes of her husband, Michael Schiavo.  Terry was portrayed by her husband and in turn by a large part of the media as in a complete vegetative state.  The media and everyone else (except for a select few people) were banned from visiting Terry in her room.  It was very saddening to read about a legal system that had turned it's back on the most helpless of people.  Terry ended up being starved to death and died a slow, agonizing death because some thought she had no value to society.  We see this "death to the weak and helpless" movement growing in our culture more and more.  Abortion, infanticide, so-called mercy killings, euthanasia, etc. are ever increasing and becoming more and more acceptable by society.  Also, as technology increases, decisions about life and death become more complicated and families grapple with issues of life-support equipment and drugs that prolong the inevitable.  Sometimes the line between what is right and what is wrong can become so blurred it is difficult to tell.   

As society continues to devalue the life of the elderly, weak and infirmed, we witness  many cases of the elderly and weak pushed out of people's lives and forgotten about in nursing homes and institutions.  Thank God for good places like this that can care for the elderly and infirmed.  Thank the Lord for dedicated workers who help those who cannot help themselves and loving watch over the weak, and helpless.  But, many times the elderly and infirmed feel forsaken and forgotten.  Often they are viewed as unimportant and even a nuisance.  But they are not!  Listen, there may come a time in your life when YOU and I are infirmed, helpless or old.  In that time, you may feel neglected or forgotten.  I remember the old story of the Chinese family.  The dad was going to take the grandfather out and kill him, because he was old and infirmed.  The dad took his son with them for part of the journey and explained to his son, that "grandfather was old and infirmed and I am going to put him out of his misery".  The boy replied, this is good father, now I will know what to do with you when you get old and infirmed".  The dad turned around and took grandfather and his son home and cared for grandfather the rest of his days.  Again I say, the day may come when you feel forsaken by all, but know this:  The Lord will not forsake you in that time!  He will be with you - look to Him for strength and courage.  Trust in Him in that day.  I visit a few different elderly people of our church and relatives of our church family.   I have visited some that were cantankerous, complaining and sour.  These folks were not looking to the Lord.  Their old age was a misery to them.  Their life full of complaints and bitterness.  But, many of the folks I visit love the Lord.  They look to Him everyday for help and strength.  They find solace in the Lord and in His word.  When I visit with these folks, though they are infirmed and incapacitated to a large degree, yet there is joy and strength in their life and in their spirit!  It is refreshing to visit with them.  They are a well of wisdom and of joy!  In your old age and in your infirmities, trust in the Lord, He will never leave you, nor forsake you.

Let me close with this, how long has it been since you visited an elderly or infirmed person and showed them you care and told them the Lord cares?

Pastor Bret M. Pallotta