God cares for his children in old age
Title page of Craig’s The Scripture Monitor
Today's Devotional
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you—Isaiah 46:4 (NIV).
God exercises a peculiar care over his people, in the course of his providence. Even from their earliest years, he watches over them, and acts towards them with the greatest tenderness. In the season of their old age, and when they are stooping under its infirmities, he is still the same; he is still their God and stands in every gracious, endearing, and useful relation to them; he is their REDEEMER, to deliver them from all their enemies, and from all evil, and to plead their cause; he is a FATHER who never dies, nor loses his sympathy, care, or “kindness; he is a FRIEND, who loves them at all times, sticketh closer than a brother, and who ever lives to supply all their wants; he is their PORTION, to render them completely happy, and to satisfy them with his love and favor, through all eternity; he is “the strength of their hearts, and their portion forever.”
In pursuance of His kind designs toward his people, God bears them up, graciously supports them under all their weakness and all the burdens of their afflicted state. He carries them in the arms of his love, his power and faithfulness and enables them to advance in their spiritual journey and in their way to the heavenly glory. He delivers them from all their troubles, from all sin and sorrow, and puts them in possession of their complete and everlasting happiness, in due time.
Christians have the best reason to expect this from the Lord their God. He made them, at first, as their Creator; and he makes them anew, by regenerating grace. They may be sure that he will perfect all that concerns them in body, in soul, and spirit, and never leave them. May this be my happiness, to enjoy the favor, the protecting love, and the gracious, powerful influence of a redeeming God in Christ!
About the author and the source
Rev. J. [John] Craig (d. 1851) was the first minister at Avonbridge, near Falkirk, Scotland, where he served forty-seven years until his death at seventy-one. In 1819, he published The Scripture Monitor, source of today’s devotional.
John Craig. The Scripture Monitor, or short meditations on various passages of Scripture for each day in the year. Edinburgh: Ogle, Allardice & Thomson, 1819.