I have heard this plea numerous times from elderly people....hmm....before I continue....I probably should define or at least categorize the word elderly. I just put the word into Google....and AI said that it generally means people over 65 years old! I'm 76....and write about elderly people in a fair number of these posts....and they ain't me! Even Donald Trump is not elderly....a demented sot....paranoia-plagued and forgetful that he told the very same lie five minutes before....but not elderly. Joe Biden is elderly.
Now that we got that straight....I have sat and talked to real elderly people many times....and there is either a great sadness there....if they are not Christian....or a great joy....if they are. Some have been kind and gentle.....others irascible. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said once from his pulpit....later in life....that he had found that people generally died the way they lived. That is mostly what I have seen also.
He lived to 81 years of age....and I guess that you could say that he was elderly when he died....but he still powerfully preached the Word of God! John MacArthur was not....elderly....at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020....but he appeared elderly in his last few years in the pulpit....and preached a couple of his most powerful sermons while speaking softly and pausing often between sentences.
It appears that being elderly is not just phyical....but a state of mind. My state of mind wants to help a 65 year old carry her groceries....because I may need that help some day....when I get to be that age? I finally....a few years ago....accepted the fact that I will never go back into the army. I would like to know about two or three languages...."Te puedo hablar de Jesucristo?" I've been saying that for 55 years now. I should probably start with English.....but I ain't even going to do that!
I obviously digress....please bear with me....that plea that I have often heard....from a real elderly person....who might be in pain....and lack any mobility....or any physical strength at all....is....'Why is God waiting to take me?'
Forty years ago I ran a marathon. There were probably 8,000 to 10,000 other runners in it. I finished second to the last. I could have finished fourth to the last....but there was an elderly white-haired couple before me at the end....a real elderly couple....at least 76....and they were holding hands as they waddled towards the finish line. Had I....a 35 year old....passed them at the last minute....I would probably have been booed. I ran a lot at the time....and the first eight miles went real well....but I was not ready for a marathon!
Most of the elderly that I talk to....and hear them give that plea....on why God does not take them....are not Christian.....maybe outwardly they proclaimed their whole life to be Christian.....but they also....their whole long life....have shown absolutely no signs of being born again at all! They were just church-goers....that prayed before a Thanksgiving meal.
So I'll look at them....and try my best....recently as a matter of fact...and explain to them that the answer to that plea that Jesus Christ might give to them....is a merciful answer....that they are not ready to stand before Him in judgment!
Do you know a better answer to give them? That's the best that I can do....but I am thankful that they asked that sad question....for it is at least an opportunity. Just asking an elderly person who is about to die...."Would you like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior" is not enough! That would be like me saying to an elderly person on the way to a regular doctor checkup....'I think I'll bring an umbrella....just in case."
They need to know....you need to know....I need to know....that upon leaving this life....all the excuses are gone. Everything will be blindingly obvious from the power of the righteous King of Kings before us! So if anyone is going to pray...."Lord....why don't you take me right now?"....they might want to change that a little to...."Lord....if you are going to take me....make me acceptable in your presence....and if I am not acceptable in your presence....if my belief in you is no different than the belief that devils have....then please do not take me...."I believe....help my unbelief!" Mk 9:24 ESV
