FRUITFUL TILL THE END

 

The poet Henry W. Longfellow was on in years and his hair was white, but he remained a vigorous man. When someone asked him the secret of his vitality, Longfellow pointed to an apple tree in bloom and said, "That tree is very old, but I never saw prettier blossoms on it than it now bears. That tree grows new wood each year. Like that apple tree, I try to grow a little new wood each year.''

That is God's design for his children. As a healthy tree adds a new ring of growth each year, we too should constantly “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). Although the years take their toll on our bodies, our souls have the capacity for unending renewal. Paul says “though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).

A tree is alive and it grows every day; it grows upward, downward and spreads its branches wide. Fruits are very often the desired parts of a plant. But there is no fruit without roots! It’s impossible for a tree to bear much fruit without having deep roots. It would become heavy and topple over in the wind. Gods children should “take root downward, and bear fruit upward (Isa. 37:31).

Evidence of Christians who are growing "new wood” include worn out Bibles, “camel knees” (Apostle James is the icon of prayer; he was called "camel-knee” James), holding fast the profession of faith without wavering, no matter the circumstances  and accepting life's trials as part of the good that God is working out (Rom. 8:28). The phrase “always green” is expressive of the believers' perseverance;

Moses, David and Paul are examples of believers whose leaves did not wither. They continued bringing forth fruit even in old age.  They died with their harness on and the hands on the plough. They were fit for the kingdom because they did not look back (Luke 9:62).They made many mistakes at their work and suffered much, but they did not quit. When their Master came for them he found them doing as servants should be found (Luke 12:43).

At the end of his life Moses wrote a song (Deut. 32). He wrote “Oh, praise the greatness of our God!  He is the Rock, his works are perfect and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he (vv3-4). To all Israel, he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you, they are your life; by them you will live long in the land” (vv 46-47).

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them.  The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deut. 31:7-8).Joshua was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him (Deut 34:9).

As his life neared the end David said “the Rock of Israel said to me ‘when one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,  he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth. If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire (2 Sam 23:3-5).

David gave a charge to Solomon his son.  “I am about to go the way of all the earth, so be strong, act like a man  and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go (1 Kings 2:1-3).

As he got close to the end of life Paul’s words were “the time for my departure is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

His charge to Timothy was “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction… But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry (2 Tim. 4:2-5).

Moses David and Paul had vibrant faith to the end and they looked forward to the next life. They had no regrets, they had lived fruitful lives. They did not let their vision die with them; they looked for able men to carry on the work (Exodus 18:21). These old, flourishing trees in God’s house demonstrated that “the Lord is upright; He is a rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him” (Ps. 92: 14-15).

They had walked with God for years; sometimes through valleys in the darkest of night and other time they relaxed on the mountain enjoying warm sunshine. And they could confidently declare that God was their rock, the firm foundation that had enabled them to stand firm through many trials. Their victorious lives are a testimony that God is faithful and can be trusted.

Godly people still bears fruit in old age. Instead of their fruit failing with age, they bring forth richer and more luscious clusters than ever before. They are like trees whose branches hang down due to abundance of fruit, even as their heads bow down by reason of the abundance of their years. As one ages, he has more to give to the younger people. Due to age and a world of experience, he has stories to tell that are full of insight and valuable lessons.

As we age the golden vision grows dim, far-reaching prospects narrow down and the horizon shuts in on every side. When that time comes we should feel that we have lived for some worthy purpose and accomplished something satisfying and permanent. We have laid up some treasure in Heaven that cannot be taken from us. Let us walk with God now and then, should the days come when we can no longer walk with men, we shall still retain our hidden life with Him.

And when the harvest of our earthly life has passed, and its sheaves are all gathered in, the fruits of godliness shall still be ripening for a better harvest in Heaven. Let us regard those around us today as a cloud of witness (Heb. 12:1) watching our every step to see if God is faithful and worthy trusting. Let us regard those who have gone before us as forming a wonderful company to welcome us to our final rest and to shed over Heaven a familiar, homelike aspect.

Young believers ask themselves: are Gods’ promises true? Can they be trusted? Will God ever fail? Those who have walked with God up to their old age bear testimony to His faithfulness, to the sure foundation of His word and promises. The aging believers bear testimony to the joy of the Christian life and the blessedness of fellowship with Christ. Like other men they have been tried and tempted; but these experiences could not separate them from the love of God.

The life of a Christian demonstrates growth. Christians gradually leave behind them the weaknesses and imperfections of youth. As they grow older they exercise patience because they relish its benefit and know the reward that it will bring.  They gladly submit to the will of a heavenly Father they have grown to love. They show unselfish interest in work which cannot benefit them and of which they cannot live to see the fruit.

These people of God live in a blessed way that gives honor and attention to God.  They do not draw attention to themselves, but they shout out that the LORD is upright. The fruit-bearing of an aged Christian show that God has kept his promise. He has never left  nor forsaken them. Their confident, proven experience is “He is my rock and there is no unrighteousness in Him”. They know from both understanding and life experience that God can be trusted and that he does all things well (mark 7:37).