In 2 Corinthians, chapter 4, Paul writes, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed… So we do not lose heart.” 

And then he makes this amazing statement, “Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day…”

For Paul, his faith made a difference in how he lived and in how he faced the challenges of life. I know you’ve seen this in people. Maybe you’ve experienced it yourself.

I remember when I was a young pastor, just getting my feet wet. Our Children’s Ministry Director came to talk to me. She shared that a relatively young member of our congregation (in his early 50s) had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. “You really need to go see him,” she said.

I went, but I was nervous. I wasn’t sure what to say. However, when I arrived, much to my surprise, he was in good spirits. He laughed easily. His wife even joked, “I don’t know what’s gotten into him these last few months.” He replied, “Well, when you know your time is short, you realize how precious it is.”

I didn’t say this, but I’ve known plenty of people who wouldn’t take it so well. I’ve certainly known plenty of people who have instead grown bitter and cynical.
When we held hands to pray before I left, I could feel his inner strength. He was confident that death would not have the last word, and he knew that in the time he had left, he still had something to offer.

His faith made a difference in how he lived. It was a witness to me. The visit was a sermon I needed to hear. And so that sermon and that witness today becomes my prayer.

Will you pray with me? Gracious God, I pray today for all of those who are listening or reading this message. I pray that whatever challenges they might be facing in life right now, they would not lose heart. Strengthen and renew our inner spirits day by day. Grant us your courage, presence, and peace. We ask in Christ’s name. Amen.

Psalm 25 is a prayer. It begins… To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

In the Hebrew language, the soul is literally your neck and was used as a metaphor for your entire life. If you think about your neck, it’s this narrow passage through which all that gives you life must pass. Your thoughts, your gut feelings, your food, your nerves, your blood, and your breath all pass through to the rest of the body. Your soul is what holds you together. It is your very life.

By praying I lift up my soul, we are saying, God, I am handing you my life—my thoughts, my feelings, my worry, my anxiety, my joy. This is a profound description of prayer. I trust you with all that I am.

The Psalm is beautiful. It continues to pray through a whole range of human emotions and need. It covers everything from our need for forgiveness to our need for guidance and hope. Whoever wrote this Psalm believed that our faith offers us a path that leads to God’s peace. And it begins with surrender.

Let us pray, using Psalm 25 as a guide: To you, O God, I lift up my soul, all that I am, and all that I’m going through… In you I trust. Help me to know your ways and teach me your paths. Lead me… for you are the God of my salvation, and for you, I wait. Be mindful of your mercy, O God, and of your steadfast love. Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions. Turn to me and be gracious to me. Relieve the troubles of my heart, and bring me out of my distress. Consider my trouble, and forgive all my sins. O guard my life and deliver me, for I take refuge in you. Amen.

One of my favorite baseball stories is about three umpires who were discussing how they did their jobs, especially when they were working behind the plate, calling balls and strikes. The first umpire said, "Some of 'em are balls; some of 'em are strikes. But I calls 'em as I sees 'em." The second one said, "Some of 'em are balls; some of 'em are strikes. But I calls 'em as they are." The third one said, "Some of 'em are balls; some of 'em are strikes. But they ain't nothin' until I calls 'em." 

A sermon is in that story because it's a parable about life. Each of those umpires tells us something about our relationship to the truth. (Read Matthew 16:13-16, 21-25; John 8:32). The third umpire is my favorite. Here is a man who creates truth by his word. When we create truth or meaning or relationships, we are sharing in God's creative activity. Made in God's image and likeness, we are all artists and creators. The Bible uses the metaphor or speech to describe God's creation: "God said, 'Let there be light;’ and there was light." (Genesis 1:3) The parable of the umpires teaches us to never be afraid to call life as we see it, to express our love for God and our fellow human beings.

Let us pray: How great thou art, O God, without whose spirit nothing grows, without 

whose love, we wither and fall away. We thank you for Jesus of Nazareth who leads us 

in this way... 

where to be great, one has to be humble, 

where to be exalted, one has to serve, 

and where to find life, one has to lose it. 

Teach us that great truths are great simplicities. Awaken us today that we hear the 

singing of trees and watch morning and night changing guard. Through the grace of 

Jesus. Amen. 

A few years back, my friend Sherry had a housewarming party. She shared with her guests that her new neighbors had a great story. At age 60, husband and wife ran off together to join the circus. Age 60! That is something you would normally think of a young adult doing. Together, they traveled around working as clowns until age 80 when they finally retired. What a fun and exciting second career for this couple!

Their story reminded me of the possibilities and potential that our later years often hold.
Yes, there is the potential for many of us to do something fun or exciting, or better yet, to do something meaningful, something that will make a difference in the life of others.

The Bible sets the precedent. Abraham was 75 and Sarah 65 when they were first called by God. Moses was 80—Miriam even older. Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan at age 80. The Apostle Paul made his final trip to Rome as an old man, and there he continued his ministry vigorously.

Psalm 92 reminds us, The righteous flourish like the palm tree... In old age they still produce fruit; they are always green and full of life.

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, that the way things are is not the way they have to be. We thank you that things can change and that we can change. Open our eyes to possibilities that lay ahead. Give us bold dreams and equip us to serve you in new and exciting ways. We ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Years ago, I was in a Sunday school class discussing the topic of fear. A friend, who is a Naval Helicopter Pilot, shared about a recent deployment. He told the class that night missions, particularly those when there is no moon to see by, can be scary. They take off and land from the deck of an aircraft carrier that is rolling beneath open ocean waves. My friend said he doesn’t like to fly with other pilots who don’t have some measure of fear. All senses are required for this type of operation, and any measure of arrogance can cost you your life.

That recent deployment was particularly tough, as his wife was home pregnant with their first child. He shared that in the hours leading up to a night flight, he turned again and again to God. He had to trust. He found himself praying Psalm 139:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up... Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you...

There are moments in each of our lives when there is nowhere else to turn. In such a time as that, Psalm 139 is a good one to pray. It is a reminder of God’s presence, strength, and mercy.

I wonder what resources you have at your fingertips. I wonder if you have a psalm or prayer, or passage that you turn to. Perhaps there is one that you would like to memorize as a resource today.

Let us pray: We thank you, Loving God, that you have promised to be with us—even through the valley of the shadow of death. We thank you for women and men, like my friend, who risk their lives for the protection of others. We entrust them to your care and ask you to watch over them, and their families. We long with them for the day when wars will cease and your peace will reign. Reign now in hearts, that amid our fears and struggles your peace would settle in us—and work through us. Amen.