If you’re past the age of fifty, you’ve probably had a few thoughts about “old age.” Our bodies begin to slow down, things don’t always work as well as they did, and we notice a few more aches and pains. Even our minds seem to work at a slower pace.

While there are lots of physical things we can and ought to do that help us stay healthy and vibrant for as long as possible, growing older is inevitable. The only alternative is an early exit from this world. Despite what that crazy man on social media says, no matter how many supplements you take or exercises you perform, old age will happen. Our bodies are simply not made to live forever.

How reassuring, though, that while our physical body moves at a downward trend, our spiritual life can and should get stronger and better with age. The psalmist agrees.

Psalm 92:12-15 – 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.

What a wonderful promise. Our bodies shrink and wither away towards the end of our lives, but our inner man who has been transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and imbued with eternal life, is the complete opposite.

“Full of sap” is the Hebrew word dāšēn, also translated as “fat” (KJV). It means vigorous, stalwart, and in this analogy of a tree, indicates an abundance and strength of life that continues to produce fruit. “Very green” is raʿănān, meaning luxuriant, fresh, and flourishing, like a tree that is bursting with beautiful leaves.

If we read this entire psalm carefully, we will find the secrets to keep our spiritual lives from looking like a Charlie Brown Christmas tree at the end of our days. If we want to end well, we must continue the following patterns day after day until God takes us home.

#1 – Maintain and express a grateful attitude.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord (v. 1).

#2 – Fill your home and heart with praise to God in words and music.

It is good…to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning and Your faithfulness by night, with the ten-stringed lute and with the harp, with resounding music upon the lyre. (vs. 1-3)

#3 – Meditate and ponder on the wonder and works of God.

For You, O Lord have made me glad by what You have done, I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands How great are Your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep. (vs. 4-5)

#4 – Keep an eternal perspective.

But You, O Lord, are on high forever. For, behold, Your enemies, O Lord, for, behold, Your enemies will perish; all who do iniquity will be scattered. (vs. 8-9)

#5 – Stay connected to and serving in your local church body.

Planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (v. 13)

Have you allowed the aches and pains of your physical life to diminish what God wants to do in your spiritual life? Have you given up on serving God, thinking you’re too old and no use to anyone? Have the inevitable losses we encounter in life made you bitter and withdrawn?

Perhaps you need to ask God to reconnect your heart and mind to the True Vine so that the sap starts flowing again! Let’s make it our commitment to continue growing, praying, serving, and praising God until He decides our work here is done.

John 15:5 – I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.