Portrait of a Hero...Warts and Everything
As we look at Abraham’s life as a whole, we’ll be reminded that he was as much a sinner as he was a saint, and we’ll find both warning and inspiration.
Sin's curse results in physical deterioration and eventually death (Genesis 3:16-19). Aging is the accumulation of undergoing physical, emotional, social, and psychological changes throughout life. These changes can bring about loneliness, lack of purpose, guilt, self-pity, loss of friends, and limiting health issues. They become more problematic as we age.
As we look at Abraham’s life as a whole, we’ll be reminded that he was as much a sinner as he was a saint, and we’ll find both warning and inspiration.
As Abraham neared the sunset of his life, he clearly didn’t waste his retirement years sitting around feeling sorry for himself. Instead, he lived his last years to their fullest. From his example, we can learn a lot about ending well and finishing strong.
Caleb remained forever young, even though he had every reason to back off, fade into oblivion, and give up with a long, heavy sigh as he snuggled down into a bed of moth balls. No way! As we shall observe, Caleb stayed in the mainstream—in fact, on the front edge of new and fresh challenges.
Since all of us will “return to the earth” and since our spirit “will return to God who gave it,” now is the time to remember Him in all our ways.
Ecclesiastes 6 is the tragic picture of a man, old and weary, who has come to the sunset years of his life.