Do you want to know how to dramatically increase your chances of living a long life – at least reaching the threescore and ten (70) years spoken of in Psalm 90, verse 10? Keep growing spiritually, keep making spiritual progress, keep putting away and out of your life anything offensive to God and His holiness. Keep doing that, keep making real progress and you may be surprised how your lifespan will lengthen. Paul writes, “My God shall supply ALLÂ YOUR NEED according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (See Philippians 4:19). And if it is MORE TIME you need in order to get it right, in order to flee and abandon some unhealthy or unholy habit, God will grant you more time. If that necessitates His healing you of some dread affliction, even what men might call an incurable illness, He will do even that. DO NOT LIMIT GOD! “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (See Philippians 2:13). And God working IN YOU is not going to allow you to die when He, through Christ and the Holy Spirit, is making tangible, real progress in your spiritual growth and character, for God does not work at cross purposes with Himself. The breath of every living thing is in His hand. Remember, it is “godliness…that has promise of the life that now is,” that is, of your present temporary chemical existence. (See I Timothy 4:8). That is not to say the good, or godly, do not die young. Some do. But they are the exception to the rule. That fact does not negate the truth of this scripture: “Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with (an accompanying) promise.” And what is that promise? “That it may be well with you, AND YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH” (See Ephesians 6:2-3).
“Keep my commandments AND LIVE…” (See Proverbs 7:2). “In all your ways acknowledge Him (seeking God’s wisdom and will), and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). And He will not direct you in a pathway that will shorten your life, but in a pathway of peace, safety and a lifestyle that will tend to lengthen your life. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the holy is understanding, for by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased” (Proverbs 9:10-11). “The fear of the Lord prolongs days” (Proverbs 10:27).
Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley