FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2024
(PART 5)
NEVER TOO OLD OR WEAK TO SERVE GOD
December 19, 2023
Today’s psalm: Psalm 71:3-6,16-17
Psalm 71 is the lament of an old person who is afflicted by enemies. He looks to what God has done for him in the past, seeks help from God for the present, and affirms what he will continue to do for God in the future. In this prayer in time of old age, he looks to the God who is the same yesterday, today and forever.
And so too with us. We were called by God to be part of His committed people through MFC, we continue to live our lives as God’s faithful servants, and we look to still carry on with the mission as God’s holy warriors. MFC is over 42 years old, and those of us in the earlier years have grown old. But 42 years is still very young, considering eternity in the life of a Christian. And due to God’s faithfulness, we also have our MFC Sections, which are about our life and mission through the generations, until the Lord returns.
And so the psalmist says, “I will speak of the mighty works of the Lord; O God, I will tell of your singular justice. God, you have taught me from my youth; to this day I proclaim your wondrous deeds.” (v.16-17). From our youth, from our being babies in Christ, from yesterday, God has taught us His ways. Since then to this day, today, we proclaim Christ and God’s wondrous deeds. And for the rest of our days, to forever, we will continue to serve God and help build His Kingdom on earth, to be found Jesus’ faithful servants when he returns.
What can help us in all this, to remain firm in faith in this challenging call and in these trying times?
First, always look to God. Say to the Lord, “Be my rock of refuge, my stronghold to give me safety; for you are my rock and fortress.” (v.3). The Lord is faithful indeed. He called us and will provide, protect and empower us. As He is the Rock on which our faith rests, we can stand secure. As He is our stronghold and fortress, we as His holy warriors can confidently go forth to do His work. He will rescue us from the hand of the wicked and the clutches of the evil and violent (v.4).
Second, always hope and trust in God. Say to the Lord, “You are my hope, Lord; my trust, God, from my youth.” (v.5). We have depended on Him all these years. He has never failed us and we can fully trust in Him. In our weakness He has given us strength, and in our desperate moments He has given us hope (v.6).
In the other readings today, we see a God who is faithful and who is a God of miracles. From the book of Judges, we see how God enabled Manoah’s wife, who was old and barren, to conceive and she bore Samson, who became God’s strong and holy warrior (see Jgs 13:2-7,24-25). In the gospel, we see how God enabled Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth, who was old and barren, to bear a son, John (see Lk 1:5-25), who became the mighty John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus.
You are never too old, never too weak, never without resources, never overwhelmed by God’s enemies, to do the will of God. Jesus is always there for us, as we put our hope and trust in him, for he is the same yesterday, today and forever.
