Social Security and Medicare
“And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.” Genesis 47.7-9
We are finishing up another year – the year of 2024. With the closing of the Summerville Lumber Mill, my wife found herself forced into retirement. And, I found myself seeking insurance coverage to replace what we had enjoyed through my wife’s employment. Relating to my heart attack of a bit over four years ago, that insurance company had been billed over seven million dollars for my medical expenses. Only by the grace and mercy of God did I survive and am able to continue writing these weekly devotionals.
Sometimes I feel old (and will be 69 my next birthday), but when asked of my age there seems to always be a 70 year-old who lets me know that I’m still in my youth. I believe it was Robert Goulet who quipped that middle age would be at least fifteen years beyond his current age. I suppose that meant that he would never reach middle age according to his definition.
When we consider antediluvian ages with men who lived into an eighth or ninth century, the thought of considering three scores and a decade as old would pale by comparison. Even for many years following the Flood, people seemed to live longer. Here at 130 years of age Jacob was considered to have lived a long life – but he was 130 years old when he traveled from the Promised Land to the Land of Egypt. He was 130 years old.
As we reach retirement age (although I’m nowhere near desiring retirement), it’s not uncommon for someone to begin leaning more heavily on doctors, nurses, Social Security and Medicare. For most of our lives we have been preparing for the time when we no longer have a paycheck and we are looking for a return on our investments in order to survive.
Isn’t it interesting how God used Joseph and his brothers (who sold him into slavery) to prepare for Jacob in his declining years! Isn’t it interesting how, by the sweet spirit of Joseph, Joseph looked upon his slavery as a blessing through which he supported his family and preserved the heritage of Abraham!
God always has a plan. Whether you are working and earning a living or you have retired and are subsisting on Social Security – God has a plan for your life. Whether you are young or you are old – God has a plan for your life. Whether you have a family or are all alone in the world – God has a plan for your life.
In His great sovereign will, God has offered you many opportunities to show forth His glory and His provision. Make the best of your life situation and express to those you meet the greatness of your loving heavenly Father. God has a plan for your life. Work it to its full potential.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2.12, 13
Sometimes I feel old (and will be 69 my next birthday), but when asked of my age there seems to always be a 70 year-old who lets me know that I’m still in my youth. I believe it was Robert Goulet who quipped that middle age would be at least fifteen years beyond his current age. I suppose that meant that he would never reach middle age according to his definition.
When we consider antediluvian ages with men who lived into an eighth or ninth century, the thought of considering three scores and a decade as old would pale by comparison. Even for many years following the Flood, people seemed to live longer. Here at 130 years of age Jacob was considered to have lived a long life – but he was 130 years old when he traveled from the Promised Land to the Land of Egypt. He was 130 years old.
As we reach retirement age (although I’m nowhere near desiring retirement), it’s not uncommon for someone to begin leaning more heavily on doctors, nurses, Social Security and Medicare. For most of our lives we have been preparing for the time when we no longer have a paycheck and we are looking for a return on our investments in order to survive.
Isn’t it interesting how God used Joseph and his brothers (who sold him into slavery) to prepare for Jacob in his declining years! Isn’t it interesting how, by the sweet spirit of Joseph, Joseph looked upon his slavery as a blessing through which he supported his family and preserved the heritage of Abraham!
God always has a plan. Whether you are working and earning a living or you have retired and are subsisting on Social Security – God has a plan for your life. Whether you are young or you are old – God has a plan for your life. Whether you have a family or are all alone in the world – God has a plan for your life.
In His great sovereign will, God has offered you many opportunities to show forth His glory and His provision. Make the best of your life situation and express to those you meet the greatness of your loving heavenly Father. God has a plan for your life. Work it to its full potential.
“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2.12, 13
Copyright © 2024 Dr. John H. Hill, All rights reserved.
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