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Psalm 71:9-18 

Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone. For my enemies speak against me; those who wait to kill me conspire together. They say, “God has forsaken him; pursue him and seize him, for no one will rescue him.” Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me. May my accusers perish in shame; may those who want to harm me be covered with scorn and disgrace. As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long—though I know not how to relate them all. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteous deeds, yours alone. Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come. 

King Asa started off so well. He brought about spiritual reform and put the spotlight back on God. He depended on God and his nation was blessed. But when Asa was older he forgot God. He depended on foreign nations for protection. When disease invaded the king’s body he sought physicians and ignored the Great Physician. Know anyone like King Asa?

I am saddened when I see people taking the easy road. People who have served the Lord with vigor—leading ministries, teaching Bible classes, discipling believers one-on-one, then they just seem to quit. They get ticked about something. They get busy with something. They make excuses but there is never a good excuse to retire from your walk with God.

The psalmist was different. He had followed God since his youth. God had been his teacher and continued to be. He prayed that God would use him. He wanted to be the one to communicate God’s power to the next generation. He didn’t forget God, ignore God, or want to take the easy road.

Father, don’t let us quit on You. Keep us energized for the long haul. Keep us in the game. Allow us to tell the next generation how awesome You are. In Jesus’ name. Amen.