Psalm 37:25

New International Version (NIV)

I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

For meditation

Sometimes we get weary of our lives when we picture a very bleak future ahead of us, especially when we think about our children’s upkeep. We think God will not be there for us. We begin to see things from the perspective of the world, and that scares us. That’s when most believers lose it. If only we can lift our eyes to the Lord and know that He who has kept us yesterday and keeps us today is the same God who will take care of our tomorrow and that of our children. Maybe this story of this young man may help, as we reflect on Psalm 37:25.

1. Do you hear what that young man is saying to his friend? “The time to make money is now; sister! Get it, by hock or crook, or live to regret it when age catches up with you”.
2. And do you hear the young lady’s response? “So true, brother! That’s why I can’t commit to anything serious in church, even though I sense a call here and there. Who wants their children to curse them for being irresponsible in their prime age?
3. But do you hear the reflections of the old couple who have trusted the faithfulness of God all their lives? Now, grey-haired, and with grace adorning them, the man looked in the eyes of his dear wife and quoted the Psalmist, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken…”
4. With equal candor and the same smile her husband has adored for the past 55 years, the cute old lady completed the timeless Davidic Psalm, “…Or their children begging for bread” (Ps. 37:25)!
5. What a testimony! Isn’t it nice to see such a time-tested faith on display? Can you feel the expression of confidence in the God who honors integrity, never turns His back on His faithful servants, and blesses the children of those who fear Him (Dan. 6:4, 22; Ps. 103:17; 112:1-9)?

I pray you will take counsel from David’s affirmation in this Psalm today and live to reap the peace that crowns the faithful righteous in their golden years. Also, read and meditate on Psalm 112 and be encouraged.

So: May you not allow Job’s confession that what he feared most had come upon him, to become your confession (3:25); but rather, may you trust the Lord’s unfailing love and faithfulness, as you devote your life to Christ and direct your children in the way of righteousness.

Shalom