“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night. For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord. … The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (Psalm 92:1,2,4,12-14).

Look at the image of a flourishing tree. In Psalm 1 we are told that those who delight in the Lord and follow his will are like “a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season” (verse 3). In Psalm 92 the righteous are described as bearing fruit in old age and being “fresh and green” in the last season of life.

This is a worthy goal, to model our lives along the pathways of God so whatever age we attain, we continue to grow younger as we grow in the joy and peace of Christ.

How is this youthfulness possible? The words of the apostle Paul come to mind: “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12).

No matter what our age, through God’s artesian well of grace, we can begin again each moment. 

Holy Spirit, guide us and renew us that we may stay fresh and green! Amen.