The book of Isaiah was written by the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah was a messenger sent from God to the people of Judah between 740 and 680 BC. The nation of Judah had turned away from God during that time, and Isaiah was calling them back to God for restoration and redemption. There's also a lot in the book of Isaiah about the coming Messiah.
At a time when Judah was flinching under a looming Assyrian invasion and God's people were complacent spiritually, Isaiah's words were powerful and meaningful. For older adults today, they can still hold the same powerful message about divine promise and peace.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” - Isaiah 46:4
This verse reminds us that God's care doesn't diminish with our age. If anything, our walk with God deepens. As you enter each new season of retirement, such as experiencing physical changes, adventuring during golden years or considering a move to an assisted living community, God promises to sustain and carry you through it all.
Sometimes the later chapters of life come with transitions that can feel overwhelming. But Isaiah holds a reminder that the same God who created you is the one who walks beside you now. His faithfulness isn't tied to the productivity of younger years. It's anchored in abounding love.
“But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.” - Isaiah 40:31
Waiting is a common part of human life, and it may seem even more prevalent in later years. You might wait on a call from loved ones or a letter from a friend. You could be waiting on results from a medical test or a new diagnosis. You may simply be waiting for God's guidance regarding a retirement decision.
Whatever you're waiting for, Isaiah offers the assurance that your hope in God is never wasted. In fact, while you're waiting, God is doing work to renew you. That strength may not always look or feel exactly like soaring, particularly on this side of Heaven. But whether you're sitting quietly to know He is God or walking step-by-step with his grace, the waiting can be sacred and meaningful.
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’
And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” - Isaiah 6:8
When it comes to responding to God's calling in your life, willingness to obey and follow is all that matters. Age certainly doesn't, and the Bible is filled with stories of people who thought they were too old until God showed up and changed their minds.
Whether you're 28 or 88, God may still ask, "Whom shall I send?" Your life still holds purpose and influence; you simply need to pray and ask God to reveal it to you.
“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” - Isaiah 41:10
“You will keep in perfect peace
those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.” - Isaiah 26:3
Fear doesn't have the final say for people of faith. Life changes. Anxiety and grief may rise up. But God's promise in Isaiah is clear: He is with you. He strengthens you. He upholds you.
This doesn't mean you get a free pass from the rocks and bumps of this life. It's not peace that everything will go smoothly from this point forward. Instead, it's a peace that comes from trusting that Jesus walks with you through it all.
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” - Isaiah 43:19
New beginnings aren't just for the young. God is always making something new of you, and this current chapter can be as exciting as any other. Whether you’re settling into independent living or exploring life in an assisted living community, be open to the power and peace God has for you.
