Finally, some good news! Amid non-stop reports of increasing illness, tumbling markets, and TP shortages, we need to hear something good. This news is mostly good for those of us who are getting older. But don’t tune out if that’s not you (yet), there’s good news here for all of us.
The good news for us older folk is that old can be valuable. At an auction by Christie’s, a 15,000-year-old Siberian mammoth sold for $352,331! A younger 10,000-year-old wooly rhinoceros only brought half that much, thus proving that I am getting immensely more valuable with every passing year.
OK, so maybe that’s wishful thinking, but it does show that old things have value. These fossilized remains are of great worth to scientist because of what can be learned from the ancient bones.
There are also ancient words of great value for all of us because of what can be learned from them. The newest of the words in the Bible were penned nearly 2,000 years ago, but they are as fresh and relevant and life changing as they were when the ink was still wet.
A 3,000-year-old song gives voice to the value of God’s ancient words:
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore, I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
(Psalm 119:103-105)
The words of Scripture, though old, have not lost their sweetness. Who fails to find pleasure in being loved unconditionally? Are we not all touched by a story of unending patience and forgiveness? Who doesn’t enjoy the sweet taste of guaranteed success and value?
The words of Scripture, though ancient, still light the way to a better life. They lead us to be better people, to enjoy better marriages, to become better parents. These well-used, but unworn words challenge us to make our world a better place for all. They also caution us about the dangers of distractions.
The words of the Bible, though old, still offer comfort and reassurance against the crushing weight of current news. I’m speaking to you through the latest technology. And news is readily available to us with but a click.
But so is “olds”. You probably carry a Bible app in your pocket. And perhaps right now, what we need most is not more news, but some good “olds” about the love and faithfulness of God and his unfailing promises to us. The “olds” can help us weather the news.
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