Daily devotional, 05 June 2024 Bonus
"The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short." Proverbs 10:27
I attended an 80th birthday party of a friend’s mom, and was a bit taken aback when I overheard a comment about how the celebrator should live her life moving forward. The person said, the birthday celebrant can already do whatever she wants without regard for the health restrictions she once followed to a T.
According to her, since the “birthday girl” is now living her “bonus” years, she can do whatever she wants because some people do not even live close enough to reach her age.
And so I thought, should it really be that way? Do we squander the health that the Lord has blessed us with just because we have gone past the average age expectation for human beings?
As followers of Jesus, living a long full life is meant to be deeply appreciated as it is a gift from God. In the Bible, living up to a ripe, old age is a blessing given to those who fear God and follow His ways. Psalm 91, which theologians described as one of the most profound and most assuring Psalms written has this line:
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Psalm 91:14-16
The Bible tells the story of characters who lived full lives. And these bible characters who were blessed with long life, did not only live up to their golden years strong and healthy. They also enjoyed the company and love of their family and friends. They are blessed enough to die surrounded by their children and the rest of their descendants. One example was Isaac, the son of Abraham and the father of Jacob:
"So Isaac breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people, being old and full of days. And his sons Esau and Jacob buried him."
Genesis 35:29
Moses on the other hand was buried personally by the Lord, and mourned for by His family and people:
"And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. He buried himin Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone."
Deuteronomy 34:5-7
The death of wicked people on the other hand are sad, and even terrifying. Out of His anger, God told his High Priest Eli that no one will live a long life in his household because of his sons misdeeds, and that if ever someone will live a long life it will be a terrible one:
"The only one of you whom I shall not cut off from my altar shall be spared to weep hiseyes out to grieve his heart, and all the descendantsof your house shall die by the sword of men."
1 Samuel 2:33
Another example is King Saul, who was once anointed but fell in love with his throne enough to deny the presence of God in His life. He chose to kill himself by the sword as the Philistines came for him after killing his three sons.
"So Saul died for his sin against the Lord, because he did not keep the Word of the Lord. He had asked a woman who spoke with spirits what he should do. He did not ask the Lord. So the Lord killed him, and gave the nation to David the son of Jesse."
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Of course we are familiar with Judas the Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ, and later on committed suicide.
"Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself."
Matthew 27:3-5
So what should we do then to have a well-lived and God-honoring life? Well, the number of years we will exist is not as important as the quality of years we will get to live. Did we live it in fear of the Lord, in service to others, and in love and peace? The Bible says Honoring God’s commands comes with a promise of a long life:
"You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess."
Deuteronomy 5:33
Seeking wisdom from God’s words also comes with a promise of a longer and full life. This is stated in several Psalms, and also in the Book of Proverbs:
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you."
Proverbs 3:1-2
At the end of the day, the length of years we will have will not matter if those years were lived in turmoil, depression, anxiety, and constant fear and worry. We should aspire to live God-honoring lives. When He is our number one, no matter how old we get to live, He will satisfy us not just with a peaceful life that transcends difficult circumstances inevitable in this fallen world we live in. He will also give us eternal life to enjoy with Him.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 91 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you praying for a long life?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father thank you for your love for me. I want to live a full life worshipping you and loving and serving others. Grant me this peace that I long for as I intentionally seek you, everyday of my life. Amen.
