The document discusses aging and growing old. It notes that some people experience dementia and revert to child-like behaviors in old age. It also discusses society's fear of aging and attempts to retain youthfulness. However, the Bible says growing old is a blessing. The document analyzes Psalm 71, in which an aging man expresses concerns about declining health and strength but maintains confidence in God. He expects to continue praising God and declaring God's righteousness even in old age. The document advises that the old can secure their hearts by staying faithful to God, maintaining relationships, focusing on blessings rather than complaints, and continuing to serve others.

2. IT HAS BEEN SAID….
 “ONCE A MAN…
TWICE A CHILD”
 Perhaps not in every case, but in a number of
cases….this is a true statement.
 Perhaps you know of what I am speaking of.
 An aging person sometimes will develop
dimentia and revert back to child-like actions.

3. THERE IS A PHOBIA OF
GROWING OLD….
 Many want to follow Ponce De Leon
 We are a society who want to keep our youth!
 We color our hair, or we cover it up;
 We put on make-up;
 We can even get an “extreme makeover” and
look 10 years younger!!!
 It is difficult for some to just face the
obvious…there is nothing wrong in growing old
gracefully.

4. THE BIBLE SAYS IT’S A
BLESSING TO GROW OLD!
 But before we look into the Bible, consider
with me the 7 ages of men…

5. The seven ages of man
 6 weeks--all systems go
 6 years--all systems “No!”
 16 years--all systems know
 26 years--all systems glow
 36 years--all systems owe
 56 years--all systems status quo
 76 years--all systems slow

6. The seven ages of man…again!
 Spills
 Drills
 Thrills
 Bills
 Ills
 Pills
 Wills

7. Consider this…
 Perhaps it’s the anticipation of what may happen
latter that sometimes robs us of our inner peace.
 Some legitimate concerns:
 Will I have the health to take care of my aging
parents?
 Will I become a burden to my children?
 Will I spend my last days in a Nursing Home?
 These are serious concerns in a world where folks
are living longer.

8. INNER PEACE
“How Shall the Old Secure Their Hearts?”

9. The prayer of an aging man
A Brief Look at Psalm 71

10. The concerns he experienced
 Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do
not forsake me when my strength fails.
(Psalm 71:9)
 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do
not forsake me…(Psalm 71:18)
 O God, do not be far from me; O my God,
hasten to my help! (Psalm 71:12)

11. The confidence he expressed
 For Thou art my hope; O Lord God, Thou
art my confidence from my youth. (Psalm
71:5)
 O God, Thou hast taught me from my
youth; and I still declare Thy wondrous
deeds. (Psalm 71:17)

12.  By Thee I have been sustained from my
birth…(Psalm 71:6)
 Thou, who hast shown me many troubles
and distresses, wilt revive me again, and wilt
bring me up again from the depths of the
earth. (Psalm 71:20)

13.  Thou hast given commandment to save me,
for Thou art my rock and my fortress.
(Psalm 71:3)
 I will come with the mighty deeds of the
Lord God; I will make mention of Thy
righteousness, Thine alone. (Psalm 71:16)

14. The consequences he expected
 My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises
to Thee; and my soul, which Thou hast
redeemed (Psalm 71:23).
 My mouth shall tell of Thy righteousness,
And of Thy salvation all day long; For I do
not know the sum of them. (Psalm 71:15)

15.  And even when I am old and gray, O God,
do not forsake me, Until I declare Thy
strength to this generation, Thy power to all
who are to come. (Psalm 71:18)
 I have become a marvel to many; For Thou
art my strong refuge. (Psalm 71:7)
 Mayest Thou increase my greatness, And
turn to comfort me. (Psalm 71:21)

16. How Shall the Old
Secure Their Hearts?
 Keep learning & growing in faith
 Stay connected to loved ones, friends, and
brethren
 Count your blessings daily and avoid
complaining

17.  Treat others with kindness rather than
with insensitive frankness (brutally
honest…ouch!)
 Keep serving others…do little things.
 Keep your eyes on the prize…Paul, the
aged (Phm.1:9) did…see 2Tim.4:6-8

18. REMEMBER
 Pay day is right around the corner for you!
 Don’t give up now !!!
 When death comes your way, be ready for it !!!
 Listen to Psalms 90:10 ---
 “As for the days of our life, they contain 70 years, or if
due to strength, 80 years, yet their pride is but labor
and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away.”
Song: “O Come Angel Band”
 Paradise is your next stop!

19. AND DON’T FORGET THIS:
 Ps 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is
the death of his saints.
 Re 14:13 ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven
saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea,
saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their
labours; and their works do follow them.
 This is how the old secures their hearts!