Sweeter Than Honey Never Too Old to do Gods Work

Sweeter Than Honey: Never Too Old to do God's Work

10/12/2021

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job.

Sweeter Than Honey is a 365-day devotional journey that leads the reader
through God's Word in chronological order of book authorship.

AVAILABLE AT AMAZON [PAPERBACK | KINDLE]

Let me introduce you to Sweeter Than Honey, friend. It is patterned after that Bible Reading Itinerary.

On Tuesdays, now through the end of the year, I would love it if you and I could take a trip through Sweeter Than Honey together! I'd also like to encourage you to Join us over at the private, Sweeter Than Honey Facebook group and share your thoughts. You'll find like-minded, Christian friends there. Let’s do this! Come join us as we move through the book and God's Word together.

We're waiting for you!

1 Chronicles 23-25: Never Too Old to do God's Work

"When David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son king over Israel." (1 Chron. 23:1)

David was old now, “full of days” the Bible records, but he’s not retiring from God’s work.

As a young boy, David spent his days and nights in the countryside organizing his father’s sheep. David was just a young shepherd boy, in 1 Samuel 16, probably about 15 years old, when Samuel anointed him as king. David reigned as Israel’s king for 40 years during one of the most prosperous periods in Israel's history. Now, “old and full of days,” David makes his son Solomon king over Israel and sets out to organize the Levites, the Priests, and the Musicians. Scripture even tells us that these were some of his last words. “For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered…” (1 Chronicles 23:27). David may have been “old and full of days,” but he was not done serving God!

Today, let’s just look at one of these groups that David organized—the Levites.

"David assembled all the leaders of Israel and the priests and the Levites. The Levites, thirty years old and upward, were numbered, and the total was 38,000 men." (1 Chronicles 23:2-3)

"These were the sons of Levi by their fathers' houses, the heads of fathers' houses as they were listed according to the number of the names of the individuals from twenty years old and upward who were to do the work for the service of the house of the Lord. For David said, ‘The Lord, the God of Israel, has given rest to His people, and He dwells in Jerusalem forever. And so the Levites no longer need to carry the Tabernacle or any of the things for its service.’ For by the last words of David the sons of Levi were numbered from twenty years old and upward. For their duty was to assist the sons of Aaron for the service of the house of the Lord, having the care of the courts and the chambers, the cleansing of all that is holy, and any work for the service of the house of God.” (1 Chronicles 23:24-28)

Let’s look at just a part of the Levites’ duty: “…they were to stand every morning, thanking and praising the Lord, and likewise at evening, and whenever burnt offerings were offered to the Lord on Sabbaths, new moons, and feast days, according to the number required of them, regularly before the Lord" (1 Chronicles 23:30-31). Thanking and praising the Lord was part of the Levites’ duty. They performed this part of their duty every morning and evening, and whenever burnt offerings were offered on Sabbaths, at new moons, and feast days. I think I’d like that part of the Levites’ job!

Today, let’s remember these two things: Like King David, you are never too old to serve God, and like the Levites, thanking and praising God is part of our job as well!

I've been reading a book by Sharon Betters and Susan Hunt called Aging With Grace: Flourishing in an Anti-Aging Culture. Friend, if you haven't read this book, you need to go grab it today! I highly recommend it.

If you've read it, I'd love to hear what you think. It's been a huge inspiration to me in this new season of life I find myself in and I think we may just make this book our Summer 2022 Book Club-Style Bible Study book.

You read it here first!

Aging with Grace by the Power of the Gospel

Whatever season of life you’re in, God has equipped you to flourish―to live in the transforming power and beauty of His grace. As we age, we can easily lose sight of this message as cultural ideals glorifying youth take center stage.

In this book, Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt offer present-day and biblical examples of women who rediscovered Gospel-rooted joy later in their lives. Equipped with a biblical view of aging, Aging with Grace will help you encounter afresh the Gospel that “is big enough, good enough, and powerful enough to make every season of life significant and glorious.”

What are you thanking and praising God for today?

About Sweeter Than Honey

When I read God’s Word each morning, I find inspiration and insight that keeps my day on track. Join me on this journey. Let’s settle in with His Word—it’s His Love Letter to us. Did you know that? Let’s read it like a Love Letter, expecting to glean something for our walk with Him every day. Let’s look for peace in the chaos and strength for our weaknesses. Even on our busiest days we can carve out a few minutes to refocus on the important. Can’t we? We may have to get up a little earlier, when the house is still and quiet, or stay up a few minutes after the others are tucked in for the night, but we can do this! I know we can!

Let's be intentional about focusing on God’s Word and the truths found there. Let's let it inspire us to live out our faith each day in a way that causes those we come in contact with to want what we have found. God sees you. He knows you by name, He knows the number of hairs on your head, and He cares about every detail of your daily existence. He wrote you a Love Letter. Let’s dive in!

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18 Comments

Barbara Harper link

10/12/2021 09:08:38 am

I was just reading yesterday of Joshua being "old and advanced in years," yet tasked with allocating territory among the different tribes, and Caleb finally taking his inheritance at 85. It's comforting that God can still use us at any age.

I think I would like that part of the Levites' job, too! But they probably had to struggle with keeping their heart in it and not just going through the motions, like we do singing on Sunday mornings.

Patsy Burnette link

10/12/2021 02:19:53 pm

That's exactly what Aging With Grace has encouraged me with, Barbara —> "...comforting that God can still use us at any age."

I hate that feeling of "going through the motions" on Sundays! :-/

10/12/2021 09:12:48 am

Also, I would be interested in going through that book on aging together. I'm reading another of Sharon's books now, The Treasuries of Encouragement.

10/12/2021 02:17:04 pm

The Treasuries of Encouragement sounds like a book I need to read!

Donna link

10/12/2021 10:42:53 am

Love this series and today's post was fabulous. I may be biased, but at 63 years of age, anything about aging with grace is welcomed by me. I have always loved the story of Caleb taking his inheritance at the ripe young age of 85! Perhaps it inspired me to obey God's calling on my life to start my serenity in suffering ministry at the age of 61!

10/12/2021 02:21:30 pm

Thank you so much, Donna! That's encouraging!

Tai East link

10/12/2021 10:53:12 am

I'm excited to check out your devotional, Patsy. I will pin this post and also share with the group that I lead. Thanks so much for hosting! Blessings to you! :-)

10/12/2021 02:21:56 pm

Thank you so much, Tai! :)

Amber link

10/12/2021 12:34:55 pm

I really enjoyed Sharon's book! I feel it's a neglected topic in Christian circles how to age well and in maturity.

10/12/2021 02:23:41 pm

Ahhhh.... yea, Amber! I'm so glad to meet someone else who has benefited from Aging With Grace! And I agree, it's a neglected topic. We really don't like to think, let alone talk, about aging as women.

Joanne Viola link

10/12/2021 03:01:58 pm

Thank you for this encouragement today. My desire is to age gracefully in spirit so others will see Jesus in me. I appreciate the book suggestion!

1/8/2024 07:44:12 pm

You're so very welcome, Joanne!! Your desire to age gracefully in spirit, reflecting the presence of Jesus, is truly admirable. I'm glad the book suggestion resonates with you. May your path be filled with grace, wisdom, and the radiant light of Jesus.

Lauren Renee Sparks link

10/13/2021 01:17:27 pm

My sweet PawPaw - at 93 - is tired and ready to go home to heaven. But we keep telling him that God wouldn't keep him here if there wasn't still work He wanted him to do!

1/8/2024 07:45:25 pm

It's evident that your love and care for your sweet PawPaw shine through your words, Lauren. Assuring him that God has a purpose for him and that there's still work to be done is a beautiful way to provide comfort and encouragement. Sending heartfelt wishes of peace and comfort to your PawPaw and your family during this time.

~ linda link

10/13/2021 02:10:16 pm

Oh, I just looked at reading the Bible along with the "Sweeter Than Honey" devotional and that feels like just what I want and need. Others above are talking about "Aging with Grace." I am almost finished with that one and so love it. It brings me such peace while working through it. I originally began doing it together with a dear sister in Christ via Zoom but she has had to pause due to many roadblocks of life. But I have continued because it is so good! May God rain His blessings upon you, Patsy, as you share Him with all of us.

1/8/2024 07:47:33 pm

I'm touched by your kind words and grateful to read that you're finding solace and peace in your reading and devotionals, especially "Aging with Grace." It's wonderful that even in the absence of your dear sister's physical presence, you're continuing the journey and finding meaning and connection through the material.

May God's blessings continue to abound in your reading, reflection, and the shared moments with others. Wishing you continued inspiration and growth on your spiritual journey!

And thanks so much for your kind words about Sweeter Than Honey. I know you'll love it!! :)

Maryleigh link

10/14/2021 08:31:26 am

Those who have impacted and mentored me as spiritual parents were men and women in their 70s and 80s - my mission statement is showing my children and their children how to grow old loving the Lord - I think Sweeter than Honey sounds like a book to encourage that mission statement's growth!

1/8/2024 07:59:38 pm

What a beautiful and inspiring mission statement, Maryleigh!! It's evident that the impact of those spiritual parents has deeply influenced your own journey and shaped your desire to pass on the legacy of growing old loving the Lord. "Sweeter Than Honey" indeed sounds like a wonderful companion on that journey, offering insights and encouragement. May your mission statement continue to blossom and bear fruit in the lives of those around you.

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