Known and Loved

"The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:17-20).

I remember days past when God worked in mighty ways—years on a west coast college campus, the Jesus Movement, a period of pastoral ministry—halcyon days when I "saw Satan fall like lightning from Heaven." 

My hours now are composed of trifles. I ask myself, "Do we old folks matter anymore?"

Indeed we do; we can rejoice in our present assignment, not for what we achieve, but because our "names are written in Heaven."  We are known and loved by our Heavenly Father. We can rest, secure and grateful, in His loving heart.  

And when I am quite old, and words are slow,

Like dying things that keep their holes for woe,

Thou, then as now, no less will be my life,

And I shall know it better than before,

Praying and trusting, hoping, claiming more.

I shall, with childness fresh, look up to Thee;

Thou, seeing Thy child with age encumbered sore,

Wilt round him bend Thine arm more carefully. —Author Unknown

David Roper

4.3.18