The Lord says:
"When many people say what's ahead is bleak, I'm saying what's ahead for you is bright and well taken care of. Exciting times are ahead! But you've got to believe and receive by faith, in spite of what others say. When one season ends, a new season begins. Don't linger in the former, even former glory, but look ahead to Me. For I'm doing a new thing in your life. Let your spiritual eyes be opened to see the new that I have for you."
The Lord says further:
"Sing a new song to Me therefore. For I'm giving you a new vision, a fresh anointing, and a fresh new grace for what's ahead of you. Put off the old, and put on the new that I'm giving to you. Forgive what's past, and embrace the new that I'm giving to you. For I have many more things that I want to show you and do in your life. I will give you visions and dreams. I will give you fresh revelations. I will give you a new hope. I will give you a new purpose. I will show you My glory."
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NKJV) says, 'Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.'
The Lord also says:
"Let My Spirit work in you to renew you. Let My Spirit open your spiritual eyes and enlighten your spiritual eyes, so that you can see all the things, the new things, that I am doing in your life and about to do in your life."
It's so important to know your time and season. Not according to man's eyes, but according to God's eyes. You can seek the Lord for His 'specifics' and timing for you. You can seek the Lord for His blueprints for you. With the help of the Holy Spirit, you can.
Different people different. Different people may have different 'specifics' and timing in God's eyes. But one thing for sure is the Lord your God will never leave you hanging! He will never leave you without help, and you will never be out of God's sight and God's care!
One interesting example is the Levites and the priests those days in the Old Testament. Numbers 8:24-26 (NKJV) says, 'This is what pertains to the Levites: From twenty-five years old and above one may enter to perform service in the work of the tabernacle of meeting; and at the age of fifty years, they must cease performing this work, and shall work no more. They may minister with their brethren in the tabernacle of meeting, to attend to needs, but they themselves shall do no work...'
These Levites and priests were supposed to enter 'retirement' at age fifty. Of course, this may not make sense to many people in our generation, as age fifty may be too early for 'retirement', especially with higher life expectancy in our modern era. Many people (including ministers of God) are still just as active in their profession beyond fifty. But here, I just want you to imagine the Levites and the priests at that time, and as they reach their 'retirement' age of fifty. It's definitely an ending of one season and the beginning of a new season for them.
Question: Did their usefulness also end by that age? Absolutely not! It's just a change in the nature of how they serve the Lord!
Why did the Lord instruct the Levites and the priests to cease heavy labor at age fifty?
These are some of the reasons:
1. Heavy manual labor. At that time, the work of the Levites involved setting up, taking down, and carrying many heavy parts of the tabernacle. As for the priests, they would need lots of strength in slaughtering and skinning animals for the sacrifice.
2. Prevention of injury and desecration. Intense physical work increases the risk of fatigue-related accidents. Also, mishandling or dropping holy objects could result in breaking ritual laws or cause ceremonial uncleanness.
3. Prevention of health hazard and sensory limits. Detailed tasks (e.g., inspecting skin diseases from close range) became more difficult as their natural senses and eyesight deteriorate with age.
But that doesn't mean it's the end of their life of serving God and moving into a boring life! They didn't stop serving God. They moved into, for example, offering counseling, advice, or wisdom to the younger ones.
It's the same with any profession. For example, sportsmen. They cannot keep on and on. But that doesn't mean it's the end. They can move into a new season. I'm not saying it's easy for them, especially after being in the 'limelight' and having lots of fans applauding them in their younger days. But it's definitely not the end. They can move into, for example, coaching, advisory work, commentating, etc. There are so many things they can do.
Beloved of God, whatever your age, rejoice and be glad, because the Lord your God is about to do new and exciting things in your life! Never limit what He can do in your life, going forward. He can do many things that you have not imagined yet. Good things, of course!
