Old age is the leveling field for all of us, and it is not kind. We all reach an age when our bodies will not allow us to do what we did in our youth. Our minds tell us we can still do what we did in our twenties or thirties, but our bodies tell us no way.  

Ecclesiastes 12 paints a picture of old age. Take a moment a read Ecclesiastes 12: 1-8. What are some of the words and phrases used to describe old age?  

Solomon paints a dreary picture of old age and aging in these verses. He speaks of things those of us of a certain age can relate to. He speaks of eyes growing dim, unsteady feet, stooped posture, missing teeth, poor hearing, poor sleep, fear of falling, fear of travel, slower steps, white hair and low energy. The caper berry was used as a stimulant to increase appetite and pleasure. So, when the caper berry was ineffective, Solomon was referring to the fact that life’s pleasures were gone. He took no pleasure in food, sex, or other physical activities. He had no energy for them.  

The hymn “On Jordan’s Stormy Bank” has a view that might put things in perspective. Verse three reassures us one day the sickness, pain, ailments and suffering we experience as we age and even as we just experience life will not touch “that healthful shore.” None of the negative emotions felt over loss, pain and death will be felt and feared again.   

No chilling winds or poisonous breath 
can reach that healthful shore; 
sickness and sorrow, pain and death, 
are felt and feared no more.  
Refrain: 
I am bound for the promised land, 
I am bound for the promised land; 
oh, who will come and go with me? 
I am bound for the promised land. 
 

While we are here, we must experience grief, sorrow, and pain. It is part of life. We live in a fallen world. As a result, we all suffer in some way. We all grieve and sorrow. We all have pain.  

If we want to someday find a place of no more suffering and no more pain. A place where death cannot be found. If we want to find a land where there is no sorrow or grieving. We must look to Jesus. He suffered in our place on the cross for the sins of the whole world so that He might erase our suffering for eternity.  

Revelation 14:13 assures us  

“…Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on! “Yes,” says the Spirit, “so that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow with them.” (NASB) 

John continues to record in Revelation 21, 

“and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” (v4 NASB) 

There is hope at the end of aging and sickness. We have hope that eternal life exists for those who trust in Christ. Whatever you might be going through now is hard. Whether it is part of the aging process or an illness, it is hard. Maybe it is a family member or loved one and there is nothing you can do. Now is the time to experience the assurance that you are bound for the promised land. Stand strong in the hard days. The rest our bodies crave at the end of aging and illness is found on that healthful shore. Are you bound for the promised land?  

“Oh, who will come and go with me? I am bound for the promised land” 

All for One  

Angela