Words of Hope

A Word Study on the Biblical Word "Hope"

Study #9 - Hope Continuing in Our Old Age

Last week we looked at the temporary eclipse of hope in the life of Naomi as recorded in the Book of Ruth.  Thankfully, her loss of hope was only a temporary one being restored through God's provision in her old age of a kinsman redeemer.  We now want to look at another example of hope in our old age as found in Psalm 71.  In this Psalm we find an example of hope continually expressed by a man in his senior years.  Psalm 71 has been called "The Old Man's Psalm" or better yet, "The Portrait of an Elderly Saint."  The author of the Psalm is not named, but many would point out that the thoughts and expressions are very much like those of David.  Twice the author makes reference to his old age:  "Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth" (vs.9); "Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not ..." (vs.18).  The testimony of a life of faith that extends throughout to the end of one's days is indeed a powerful witness to the grace of God.  The psalmist even mentions the fact that he was "as a wonder to many"  - a living miracle of sorts, something out of the ordinary or contrary to what is often seen.  Proverbs 16:31 states: "The hoary (gray) head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."  There are two things that stand out about this elderly man's hope:  1) The placement of his hope, and 2) The perpetuity of his hope.  First, his hope was confidently placed in his Sovereign God - "For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth" (vs.5).  The name of God in this verse and in verse 16 is a combination of Adonai (translated here as "Lord") and JHWH (usually translated as "LORD" or "Jehovah", but when used with Adonai rendered as "GOD").  It is a combination that especially emphasizes God's Sovereign Lordship over man and all of His creation.  It is clear that this elderly saint had learned to look beyond his circumstances (dire as they were) to the strength and sovereignty of Almighty God.  Furthermore, he expresses no trust in himself (though a capable and seasoned warrior) but in God alone.  Five times he makes reference to God's Righeousness:  "Deliver me in thy righteousness" (vs.2); "My mouth shall show forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day" (vs.15); "I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only" (vs.16); "Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things:  O God, who is like unto thee!" (vs.19); and "My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long" (vs.24).  Secondly, we find that his hope in God was continually perpetuated even unto his old age.  Three times he speaks of the continual expression of his faith in God:  "Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort" (vs.3); "my praise shall be continually of thee" (vs.6); and "But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more" (vs.14).  (The Hebrew word for "hope" in this last verse is a different one and will be considered later in our word study.  It is the word "yahal" and expresses "patient waiting").  Far from allowing his hope to wane or to become eclipsed by his circumstances, this dear man of God desired to not only continue the exercise of his faith, but to express it more and more!  This is a true mark of growing in grace - I need to PRAY MORE, not less, as I get older;  I need to PRAISE MORE, not less; I need to PRACTICE my faith MORE, not less, etc.!  And so as an elderly saint in a time of great trials and strong opposition, we find this aging man of God STILL TRUSTING , STILL FIGHTING, STILL PRAISING, and STILL WITNESSING for God!  "O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.  Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come" (vs.17,18).  May God give us such a hope that continues even in our old age!