Bible Verse of the Day Monday April 3rd, 2023

Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

In this Proverb, grey hair is an allegory of advancing years in a person living a life surrendered to Christ Jesus. Literal grey hair or reaching an age in and of itself does not produce righteousness, which only comes when we have the indwelling by the Holy Spirit and bathed in the righteousness of Christ Jesus. As human beings, we have no righteousness because we are all sinners, our age notwithstanding (Romans 3:10; Romans 3:21-23).

When people have placed their faith and trust in Christ Jesus, surrendered to God, body, mind, heart, spirit, soul, grey hair, and all, physical signs of aging are a worthy glory crown. This concept does not mean that only senior citizens who have given their lives to Christ Jesus will live long and fruitful lives. This scripture verse hypothesizes that the grey hair of a follower and believer in Christ Jesus and all signs of old age should be celebrated, not looked upon with horror and dread.

The gospel of Luke speaks of two people, Zechariah and Elizabeth, that lived a blameless life before God. Yet, in their later years, God chose this couple to bear to the world the person that would one day introduce the promised Messiah to all people, John the Baptist (Luke 1). furthermore, God is not through with us just because we are in our "grey hair" phase. When God chooses someone for a particular calling in life, it is regardless of how many years we have walked upon this earth.

Many older people grieve and lament the loss of their youth's look and bemoan and complain about the decline of the physical fitness they once knew. But unfortunately, the natural world holds up youthful looks and fitness as attractive and pleasing, so consequently, there are millions of products sold to retard the inevitable coming of old age. On the contrary, the godly wisdom of a man or woman of God of advancing years should be admired and respected. Advancing years and the grey head of one that walks in the righteousness of Christ Jesus is an exquisite and extraordinary crown of Glory God gave.

The Apostle John encourages young people to be strong in the Lord to overcome Satan's wiles. John did not advocate personal strength, but strength drawn from God (1 John 2:14). Any strength or zeal we have in and of ourselves will fade with time. The power we draw from Christ Jesus will never fade but become more fulfilled over time.  As we advance in years, let us distinguish, appreciate, and acknowledge the Godly benefits of growing old, grey heads, and aching and sagging muscles notwithstanding. Realizing that this advanced phase of our lives is a crown of Glory when spent surrendered to a Godly Life. Let those still in their youth recognize and follow greyer heads' advice, mature followers, and believers in Christ Jesus. Then, when Christ Jesus comes back to gather His children, all who have placed their faith and trust in Him will receive a crown of Glory that will go with us through eternity (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).