April 18, 1997
Dear Br. Crabb:
When David, the Psalmist, was young, he was concerned that, in his retirement years, he would continue to manifest the love of the Lord through a kindly disposition, a merciful tenderness, and a contentment with such things as he had, or in other words, he agonized over the Lords ability to keep him safe against those all too familiar tendencies of older people to complain, criticize, gripe, and generally make themselves obnoxious with those around them. The Lord heard and answered his prayer and his last years on the earth were marked with deeds, thoughts, and conversations of kindness, generosity, and a loving spirit.
John the Revelator accomplished some of his greatest work for
the Lord when he was past the retirement age. It is the mark of
a poor minister who actually retires from the ministry when he
reaches age 65. God never ceases His work on our behalf nor for
the benefit of the universe. It is when we near the end of life,
with the accumulated experiences of a lifetime, that we attain
our most valuable days for the Lord.
While the vast majority of younger people despise the wisdom and
counsel of the aged and turn, instead, to the immature, ignorance,
and foolishness of the world for counsel, it is the wise person
who seeks out the wisdom of an aged man or woman to learn the
pitfalls of life that he may avoid them. Your work for the Lord
is not yet done. Even if no one troubles himself to seek counsel
from you, your life of care and prayer will testify more eloquently
then many wise words unheeded or unwanted by the youth all about
you.
There are only two types of older people, sinners and saints.
Either we live for the Lord or we live for Satan, there are only
two choices. Many people are watching you to see whom you will
serve. Is the Lord able to preserve your character beyond blemish,
is he able to keep your temperament and personality Christ-like?
I trust the answer is yes to both of these questions for you have
lived for the Lord for many years and I believe you will not stop
living for Him now that age has overtaken your youthful abilities.
Be encouraged, my dear brother, the Lord loves you and others
are watching to see wether your profession of love for Him will
stand firm until the end. God has not abandoned you, you are precious
in his sight. He has many blessings reserved for you in this life
and in the next. Seek daily and most earnestly for the Lords
blessings and wisdom for He is near at hand. He is neither hard
of hearing, nor dim of vision, nor weak of legs. He is quick to
hear your prayers now as He was quick to hear them when you were
younger.
Strive to bring as much sunshine into your life and family as
possible that others may see Christ through your countenance.
If we can do nothing more then smile, then we have lived for Christ.
Our work is never done, we can never retire as Christian men.
There is no such thing as sick leave in Christs work. Sick
or well, old or young, all may praise the Lord and all may pray
for someone else. Intercessory prayer is most urgently needed
today. The fervent and effectual prayer of a righteousness man
availeth much. Let your light shine before men that they may see
your Father through your witness.
I say again, be of good courage, your work is not yet finished,
there is much you can do for the Lord, He has not yet released
you from your work. Go to it, be all that you can be for the Lord.
May the Lord bless you, your brother in Christ.
Allen A. Benson