by Tim Hall

Why is it that age so often brings bitterness? I've not come across any scientific studies on the subject, but it's a phenomenon frequently observed. Long before the movie was released, "grumpy old men" was a familiar phrase. It's something none of us want to become, but so many do. What happens?

The writer of Ecclesiastes offers one prescription for keeping bitterness at bay as the years advance: "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1, New King James Version). Without God, old age becomes an experience of growing frustration. We helplessly watch as strength and vitality wane. We become unable to pursue those things that once brought pleasure. "September Song" is not a song godless people enjoy singing.

But there must be more to it than this. There are older Christians who seem to have little joy in their later years. Without question, they have remembered their Creator since the days of their youth, but they seem to have little more happiness in life than those who have taken a pass on religion.

Perhaps there is an answer that we have forgotten. It's another bit of advice, this time found in Psalm 100. The unnamed psalmist wrote, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations" (Psalm 100:4,5).

How we approach God is as important a consideration as the fact that we approach Him in the first place. Entering God's presence should be done with an attitude of thanksgiving and praise. Doing so is an acknowledgment of His goodness and His awesome nature. Those who stand before God without these qualities show that they are more concerned with the externals of religion rather than the focus of our religion -- the Lord Himself.

I'm convinced this is an area in which too many have been negligent (if I may generalize). Striving for precision in our worship and practice of Christianity is absolutely necessary ("in truth", John 4:24). But approaching God with the fundamental attitudes of thankfulness and praise is also necessary ("in spirit", John 4:24). Psalm 100 was preserved for us by the same inspiration of God that also reveals the pattern for Christ's church. We should study it carefully and meditate on its meaning.

Christians who regularly practice thanksgiving and praise will not likely become grumpy old men or women. Their lives will grow more beautiful with each passing year. The wrinkles that will be etched on their faces will be from smiles that arise from deep wells of joy.

What a wonderful God we serve! Blessed be His name forevermore!!