As the years add up, God’s faithfulness keeps multiplying.

年岁越大，越看见上帝的信实。

They will still bear fruit in old age. Psalm 92:14

他们年老的时候仍要结果子。-诗篇92篇14节

Several years ago I stumbled across a bit of fishing lore in a second-century  work by the Greek writer Aelian. “Between Boroca and Thessalonica runs a river called the Astracus, and in it there are fish with spotted skins [trout].” He then describes a “snare for the fish, by which they get the better of them. They fastened crimson red wool round a hook and attached two feathers. Then they would throw their snare, and the fish, attracted by the color, comes up, thinking to get a mouthful” (On the Nature of Animals).

几年前，我偶然地读到希腊作家伊良（Aelian）的作品，提到公元二世纪的钓鱼轶闻：“在波洛卡与帖撒罗尼迦两地之间有一条河，河里有许多身上有斑点的鱼（也就是鳟鱼）。当地的钓客为了增加渔获量，便设计一个诱饵。他们在鱼钩上绑着深红色的羊毛和两根羽毛后，再掷入河中。果然，河里的鱼被鲜艳的颜色所吸引，一口咬住鱼饵。”（摘录自《论动物的特性》）

Fishermen still use this lure today. It is called the Red Hackle. First used over 2,200 years ago, it remains a snare for trout by which we “get the better of them.”

这个称为“红色毛钩”的诱饵，从两千多年前就开始使用，至今钓鱼的人仍然沿用此诱饵，让鳟鱼自动上钩。

When I read that ancient work I thought:Not all old things are passé—especially people.If through contented and cheerful old age we show others the fullness and deepness of God, we’ll be useful to the end of our days. Old age does not have to focus on declining health, pining over what once was. It can also be full of tranquility and mirth and courage and kindness, the fruit of those who have grown old with God.

在阅读这篇古老的作品时，我思量着：并非所有老旧的事物都会被淘汰，尤其是人。我们年纪老迈时，若还能保持知足与喜乐，别人就能看见上帝在我们身上的丰盛作为，即使将抵达人生的终点，我们仍是大有裨益；年迈时，不应该只想到身体的衰败，哀伤逝去的美好时光；我们心中还能充满安详与喜乐，展现勇敢与仁慈的风范，这就是上帝与我们同在所结的果子。

“Those who are planted in the house of the  . . . shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing” (Ps. 92:13–14 ). 

“他们栽于耶和华的殿中……他们年老的时候仍要结果子，要满了汁浆而常发青”（诗篇92篇13-14节） 。

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness throughout our lives. Help us finish our lives well in service to You and to remember that old age does not mean uselessness.

主啊，感谢祢，让我们一生都能经历祢的信实。

求祢帮助我们，一生竭尽心力地服事祢。
求祢让我们铭记在心，年老并不意谓着一无是处。

Psalm 92:12-15New International Version (NIV)

12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
    they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
13 planted in the house of the Lord,
    they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
    they will stay fresh and green,
15 proclaiming, “The Lord is upright;
    he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

整理：于姊妹