12 THE ORNAMENT

THE ORNAMENT "Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life!" Proverbs 16:31 Do not try to hide your gray hair, my venerable friend! It is no shame to you—it is rather your glory—if found in the way of righteousness. If we are found in that way, in which God justifies poor sinners by his grace—it is a choice mercy! If we are in God’s way—then he has brought us into it by his grace; and if we have been kept in that way—then we have been kept in it by his grace. If we have grown gray in God’s service—then it is an honor to us. Our holy conduct and constancy reflects glory on him. An aged saint, who sought the Lord in youth, who began to serve God almost before he began to serve the world, and who has persevered for forty or fifty years—is an honorable character.

"The glory of young men is their strength, and thesplendor of old men is gray hair!" said Solomon. And it is a beautiful sight to see the gray-headed Christian . . .
happy in God;
walking closely with God;
leaning on the faithful promises which have supported him so many years;
daily endeavoring to lead sinners to Jesus;
encouraging those who are seeking;
comforting those who are cast down;
and bringing forth from the stores of his own experience, matter to stimulate and strengthen those who are ready to halt.

Reader, is your head gray? Has it acquired that color in the service of my Master, Jesus? By some, the gray head may be called the flag of death! By others, it may be said to be frosted by age. But God styles it, "a crown of glory!" The gray head—and the sanctified heart;
the gray head—and the useful life,
are beautiful companions. But the gray head—and the black heart;
the gray head—and a life spent in sin,
are woeful associates.

"Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s!" Psalms 103:1-5