Can you recall times in your life where you felt that you had all the energy and strength you needed for a task?  At what age did you feel the most vigorous? 

The older we become, our bodies fade, and vigor seems to dissipate. Yet with the Christian life, it is possible to be vigorous all the way to the end of life.  In fact, we all can probably think of someone who we admire because of their spiritual vitality in spite of their age.

This morning I was struck by Ps. 103:2-5 which says,

“Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” (NLT)

Do you see David’s formula for spiritual vitality?  He reminds himself that God is the one who forgives, heals, saves from death, crowns us with his love and fills our lives with good things.  In fact, the word “fill” is describing a filling that completely satiates. We are filled until we are fully satisfied.

As David remembers these things and meditates upon them, his vigor is renewed.  He compares this rejuvenation to the eagle which is famous for is strength and long life.  As Tom Constable notes,

“Eagles remain strong to the end of their lives. Likewise, God enables His people to remain spiritually vigorous until death.”^[1]

As I am following Jesus, I want to remain spiritually vigorous all the way to the end of my life.  David has shown us that the way to do that is to stay close to God and remember all that he has done and continues to do for us.  These truths will restore our spiritual vitality so that we can soar like the eagle all the days of our lives.

Father, thank you for being the one who forgives, protects, provides and fills me with your love and mercy to the point that I am fully satisfied.  No one can do that for me other than you.  Help me to stay close to you and think deeply on these things for this will renew my strength to soar like the eagle as I follow you all the days of my life.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff

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^[1] Tom Constable, Tom Constable’s Expository Notes on the Bible (Galaxie Software, 2003), Ps 103:3.