CEDARS OF LEBANON “The Older Women Flourish like the Cedars in Lebanon”
By: Dr. Christine Awah
Biblical analogy of the Cedars of Lebanon and the older ones. In worldly terms, there is a serious barrier in the accomplishment of purpose due to old age . Once you attain a certain age, the world considers you as outdated, powerless, retired, unable, relegated to the background, and just eating and waiting to quit this planet. You suddenly become a liability instead of an asset. No more aspirations. This is a total contradiction to the word of God which indisputably talks about the renewal of our youth like that of an eagle and those planted in the house of the Lord flourishing and bearing fruit even at old age. (Psalm 92:12-15)
There is a powerful analogy between those who are planted in the house of the lord and flourish like the Cedar of Lebanon. The Cedar of Lebanon is such a precious tree whose value increases as it grows older. It has a life span of about 600 years and grows as tall as 100 feet. Its value increases with age. The wood becomes stronger and more durable. The shade increases as the branches keep spreading. The fragrance dominates the forest more, and we cannot emphasize enough how solid the roots holding such a gigantic tree becomes as the tree grows older. That is exactly how the older women who are planted in the house of the Lord are supposed to become as they grow older, rather than experiencing the deteriorating expectation of the world.
Remember "The just shall live by faith." Doctor Christian Harfouche usually says these words as a slogan during ministration “God said it, I believe it and that settles it.”
Remember, God's timing is different from ours. While we look at the chronological timing, God's time is "Cairos" 1000 years to God is like 1 day and 1 day as 1000 years. No doubt we are in this world but not of this World. Watchman Nee titled
his book "Against the Tide." Those foreknown, chosen and the called by God don’t go the way of the world nor talk the talk of the world. There are no limitations with God.
Some biblical examples of those through whom God has accomplished great things include:
- Abraham at 100 years old with his wife Sarah at 90 years old had the promised son Isaac
- Moses at 80 years old was called to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt
- Noah was at least 5 centuries old when God assigned him the responsibility of building the ark
- John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus Christ was born by Zachariah and Elizabeth who according to the bible were in advanced age.
-Simeon and Anna the Prophetess lived to see the fulfillment of the promise of the birth of the Messiah at an old age.
- The older women play a very important role, leading holy lives, and teaching the younger women to be sober and love their husbands and children.
When women are in their old age, this is the age where they blossom the more in manifesting the fullness of Christ in them; they live holy; they teach; they counsel; they encourage; they intercede; they worship; they impart, and they bless with material things. They only retire when they transition to glory.
Prayer:
Please Lord grant anyone who is already considered old but is planted in your house of the Lord to understand that you are still very prepared to accomplish your will through them as long as they believe and make themselves available for you in Jesus name I pray. Amen