Testimonies for the Church Vol 1 - Lansing SDA Church

Chapter 77—The Prayer of DavidI was shown David entreating the Lord not to forsake him whenhe should be old, and what it was that called forth his earnest prayer.He saw that most of the aged around him were unhappy and thatunhappy traits of character increased especially with age. If personswere naturally close and covetous, they were most disagreeably so intheir old age. If they were jealous, fretful, and impatient, they wereespecially so when aged.David was distressed as he saw that kings and nobles who seemedto have the fear of God before them while in the strength of manhood,became jealous of their best friends and relatives when aged. Theywere in continual fear that it was selfish motives which led their friendsto manifest an interest for them. They would listen to the hints andthe deceptive advice of strangers in regard to those in whom theyshould confide. Their unrestrained jealousy sometimes burned intoa flame because all did not agree with their failing judgment. Their [423]covetousness was dreadful. They often thought that their own childrenand relatives were wishing them to die in order to take their place andpossess their wealth, and receive the homage which had been bestowedupon them. And some were so controlled by their jealous, covetousfeelings as to destroy their own children.David marked that although the lives of some while in the strengthof manhood had been righteous, as old age came upon them theyseemed to lose their self-control. Satan stepped in and guided theirminds, making them restless and dissatisfied. He saw that many of theaged seemed forsaken of God and exposed themselves to the ridiculeand reproaches of his enemies. David was deeply moved; he wasdistressed as he looked forward to the time when he should be aged.He feared that God would leave him and that he would be as unhappyas other aged persons whose course he had noticed, and would be leftto the reproach of the enemies of the Lord. With this burden upon himhe earnestly prays: “Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsakeme not when my strength faileth.” “O God, Thou hast taught me from395