Dutch artist Yoni Lefevre created a project called Grey Power to show the vitality of the aging generation in the Netherlands. She asked local schoolchildren to sketch their grandparents. Lefevre wanted to show an honest and pure view of older people, and she believed children could help supply this. The youngsters drawings reflected a fresh and lively perspective of their eldersgrandmas and grandpas were shown playing tennis, gardening, painting, and more!
Caleb, of ancient Israel, was vital into his senior years. As a young man, he infiltrated the Promised Land before the Israelites conquered it. Caleb believed God would help his nation defeat the Canaanites, but the other spies disagreed (Josh. 14:8). Because of Calebs faith, God miraculously sustained his life for 45 years so he might survive the wilderness wanderings and enter the Promised Land. When it was finally time to enter Canaan, 85-year-old Caleb said, Just as my strength was then, so now is my strength (v. 11). With Gods help, Caleb successfully claimed his share of the land (Num. 14:24).
God does not forget about us as we grow older. Although our bodies age and our health may fail, Gods Holy Spirit renews us inwardly each day (2 Cor. 4:16). He makes it possible for our lives to have significance at every stage and every age.
Insight:
Caleb was one of the 12 spies Moses sent to explore Canaan. Based on the report of ten of the spies, the Israelites concluded that they could not conquer the land (Num. 1314). Caleb challenged their lack of faith (13:30; 14:6-9; Deut. 1:29-30). God took note of his faithfulness (Deut. 1:34-36), and he is consistently described as one who wholly followed the Lord (Num. 14:24; 32:12; Deut. 1:36, Josh. 14:8-9,14).