Numbers 4:47-48. “From thirty years old and upward, even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.”
FROM THIRTY TO FIFTY. Life can be thought of in various ways; By the number of years or the number of days. But life thought of like God, is usually quite different. For Him a millennium is not long, or a day is sufficient. For in God’s plan of things, “times of visitation,” Are special times, like the “day of salvation.”
Yet God, in great wisdom, still knows we are men; He states His designs, so we are ready for when His will is made known to us, and we step out in faith; To take up the cross or the work He has placed In our hands to do, we are to do it with our might; And if done in God’s time and way, works out just right.
Our length of life now spans three-score and ten; And if there is strength, may go farther, but then; There does come a time when the appointment is made; And death’s day arrives, just the way God has said. So, life now is lived with the future in view; When each gives account, for the things that he knew.
In ancient times past, things were similarly done; The Lord’s people were aware of the work yet to come. There were training times set for preparing to work. For years in advance, lest his calling he shirk, A young man would know in his twenty-ninth year, All other claims ended; he had a burden to bear.
When he became thirty, and for the next twenty years, His most serious obligations, were in the burdens he bears. Others could do what they wanted for gain; But his responsibility was to be ready for when The cloud moved and the people of God, Moved once again at the call of His Word.
Others could carry what one time he did; But now his strong shoulders carried only what God said. For twenty years running this man in his strength, Was one of a small band who were called at length, To carry only what God wanted of the house of worship, To the place God chose, and there to have it set up.
The years of my life between thirty and fifty, Are the years if lived for self, are full of productivity; But out of the millions who live life for “me;” Is a small band of men called out of obscurity; To serve God in their strength and with a full heart; They give God their best, with their eyes on the “mark.”
Others may prosper and get all that they want; But those who God calls; He gives from His grant. The best that is offered to God, these men share, Their inheritance and blessings come from the burdens they bear. The same is for us in this day that we live, From “thirty to fifty” our strength will we give.
“Father God, who calls us by Thy mercies; with the little strength I have left, I do want to serve Thee. I want to be as productive as I can be. I know I am not as vigorous as I was nearly twenty years ago at 50, but I pray Thee to give me strength for this day; to serve my generation who is in great need of the Gospel. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”