I love growing older. I really do. Easy to say, perhaps, because I've not yet reached the point of deteriorating health, but the perspective that comes with age is wonderful!
Stop and look back on your life. No matter what age you are, stop and look back. Can you now see the heretofore invisible hand of God that guided you through every step of your journey? It might be fascinating to make a list of his works in your life. Who did God send to you with the truth of salvation in Christ? Who did he send to teach and nurture you in understanding and wisdom? When did God protect you from – or lead you through – physical danger? How did he sustain you in – or deliver you from – unhealthy relationships? What strength did he build in your spirit amid your toughest trials? And when did God surprise you with blessings for which you never even thought to ask?
Maybe he led you around a problem, avoiding certain calamity. More often, likely, he ushered you right through difficulty, opposition and trial. Like the Daniel's friends in the furnace or Daniel, himself, in the lions' den, you weren't spared the harmful experience, but you endured it and emerged from it by the power of him who is sovereign over all things and all circumstances. And who knows the number of times God protected us without our even knowing it! I think we'll be surprised and awed when we learn that one day.
Filled with awe of God's proactive love in our past, we can confidently proclaim with the Psalmist, "The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and your going both now and forevermore."
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