Bits and Pieces – 139th Edition – November 6, 2022

“Even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you”  [Isaiah 46:4].

     Growing old is a shock to most people.  That may be why so many men and women of mature years use the skill of the beautician to cover their “hoar hairs!”  A leading neurologist once said, “Retirement can be the severest shock that the human organism can sustain.”

     He was right, for the declining years of life are in many cases fraught with worry and fear – and too often bring abandonment.   Is there any more heart-rending sight than old men and women shut away in some institution, forgotten by family and friends?  The older we grow, the less use the world has for us.

     Some years ago, researchers claimed on the basis of the histories of four hundred famous people that 66% of the world’s greatest work was done by those past sixty.

     That encourages us that we can be useful and productive whatever our age, but it does not affect the fear of weakness and loneliness that grows with the passing of our youth.  The Lord has a word of comfort for all who are in the aging process – and, of course, that means all of us without exception.

     He is the same; He never changes.  His love is the same; it never lessens.  His sustaining grace is the same; it never weakens.  Others may forget us, but the Lord will not.  He promises that He will support and carry us.

No trial will overwhelm us.  No waves of trouble will drown our hope.  He will be with us through life.   He will be there when we are dying to carry us over Jordan.  He will never leave us, but will bring us safe to glory.  Whatever your age or condition, rejoice that the Lord is with you. [Dr. Alan Cairns].

“The hoary head is a crown of glory if found in the way of righteousness.  It is a fool’s cap if found in any other way.”  [W.B.  Knight].

     One night a man had a dream.  He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.  Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.  For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord.

     When the last scene of his life flashed before him he looked back at the footprints in the sand.  He noticed that many times along the path of life there was only one set of footprints.  He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life.

     This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.  “Lord, you said that once I decided to follow You, You’d walk with me all the way.  But I’ve noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints.  I don’t understand why when I needed You most You would leave me.”

     The Lord replied, “My son, my precious child.  I love you and would never leave you.  During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”  [Author Unknown].

     The winter season, with its snow, will soon be upon us.  The Lord asked Job, “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?” [Job 38:22]. Few would think the snow contained treasure but it does.  Here are some of them.

      The Treasure of Supernatural Power.  A million snowflakes, each one different, will fit into a box 2 ft. square and 10 inches deep.  Each crystal is unique, hexagonal, and of exquisite beauty.  The power of God’s creative hand is seen in each snowflake.  Yet those little snowflakes can hurtle down a mountain in an avalanche at 200mph. The preceding blast of air can blow a house apart.  Think of the power of a glacier “before whose silent power the hardest granite crumbles to dust.”

     The Treasure of Sovereign Purity.  Is anything as white as snow?  Beside snow all other whites appear off-colour.  Beside the infinity purity of God we are sadly stained by sin.  Jesus is “Holy, harmless, undefiled”   [Hebrews 7:26].

     The Treasure of the Sinner’s Plight.  It is a strange fact that snow pictures the height of purity but also the worst of depravity.  It is associated with leprosy [Exodus 4:6].  Is this a treasure?  To see ourselves as God does is the first step to redemption.

     The Treasure of the Saint’s Pardon.  What a treasure is this.  God offers to wash our scarlet and crimson sins “White as snow” [Isaiah 1:18].

     The Treasure of the Scripture Promise. The Word of God is likened to the snow [Isaiah 55:10,11].  It is “seed to the sower, and bread to the eater.” The promise is that the rain and snow bring forth flowers of grace.  The next time it snows, don’t miss God’s divine message.