With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation (Psalm 91:16).
When I was in my early twenties I did a study on longevity. I wanted to know clearly what the Bible said about the length of a person’s life. You see, when I was a young teenager, a palm reader at a church Halloween carnival (go figure) told me that my lifeline was short and that I would die young. The ensuing fear lasted through my teen years until I became a dedicated believer.
Many people think that because Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us that there is a time to be born and a time to die that we have no control over the length of our lives. That is not true. Though we do have a birth date, the day of our death is not set in stone! It can change according to the choices you make. There are things you can do to shorten your days, and things you can do to lengthen them.
In my study on longevity from the biblical perspective I found that it was the will of God for us to live a long life and be satisfied with its length. I meditated on those scriptures and rooted the fear of an early death right out of my life.
Do you expect to live a long life? If not, why not? What fears have gripped you and lowered your expectations of a long life? Don’t settle for second best when God has a plan for you to live until you’re satisfied and “old.” The longer I live, the definition of “old” seems to change!
I am making plans to live a long healthy life. My planning has included 1) seeking God first in all I do and living according to His Word 2) making sure that I keep my mind and emotions clear of strife and unforgiveness 3) meditating on scripture regularly that boost my faith in answered prayer and in God’s healing power 4) eating a balanced, nutritious diet free of excesses 5) exercising to keep my body in shape. What you include in your life today, prepares you for what you have in your life tomorrow.
I’ll leave you with a list of scriptures that deal with long life today. They have boosted my personal faith and they quenched the fear the enemy planted in my life when I was young!
You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess (Deuteronomy 5:33).
That your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth (Deuteronomy 11:21).
So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days (1 Kings 3:14).
You shall come to the grave at a full age, as a sheaf of grain ripens in its season (Job 5:26).
My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you (Proverbs 3:1-2).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you (Proverbs 9:10-11).
The fear of the Lord prolongs days, but the years of the wicked will be shortened (Proverbs 10:27).
They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands (Isaiah 65:22).
For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Peter 3:10-11).
Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you (Isaiah 46:4).
The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness (Proverbs 16:31).