Live Long and Live Strong!
(Prov 10:27 CEV) If you respect the LORD, you will live longer; if you keep doing wrong, your life will be cut short.
In this text Solomon contrasts the length of life of those who respect (or fear) the Lord with that of those who disregard Him. Preparing for this message took me a little longer than normal. Not because I did not know what to say, but rather because I had too much to say.
The Lord has had me to teach on this topic before and I was quite surprised when I first researched it, but the Bible has a great deal to say about God’s desire for us to live long and prosperous lives. The Father desires that we maximize our purpose and potential in the earth. He has plans for us (Jer 29:11) and He is dutiful to do all that He can to help us to fulfill those plans. But since He has made us free morale agents, we have a role to play. He wants to operate in our lives, but we must cooperate with Him. If we do not, we hinder Him from giving us His best and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Back in chapter 3 (of Proverbs), God through Solomon said, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity” (verses 1,2). That is about as plain as it can be. The Father’s teaching, when properly applied, will add length and quality to our lives – period!
He went on to say, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold… Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor” (verses 13,14, and 16).
Long life is in the hand of Lady Wisdom. When we receive, believe, and apply her teaching, we will enjoy the benefits of living long and strong! In chapter 9 he said, “Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. I am Wisdom. If you follow me, you will live a long time” (verses 10,11).
What the insinuation? If you follow Godly wisdom – God’s way of doing things – you will live a long time. But what if you don’t? Then you obviously will not and it won’t be God’s fault. And finally, let’s look at the 91st Psalm. I love this Psalm. I call it the Psalm of Protection and I often quote. The last few verses say, “The LORD says, I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16).
A long life is a reward for them that trust in the Father; who live their lives by His instruction. Isn’t this what you want?
On the other hand, the Lord through Solomon, in our text, says that our life will be cut short if we keep doing wrong. If we ignore God’s commands, if we forsake His wisdom, we are only being a detriment to ourselves. Solomon’s Father (David) said, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you” (Psalm 55:22,23).
So what does this mean? I hope the message is clear. It means that the Father desires for you to live long and strong! However, you have a say in the matter. He has given you His instruction and if you apply it, you will enjoy the benefits of it. But if you don’t, if you ignore Him, if you choose to reject His wisdom, then you will have to deal with the consequences. Either way, you will reap what you sow. The choice is yours!
Father, I make the right choice today. Your Word gives me insight for living. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit leads me in the way that I should go. I declare, by faith, that I listen and obey. I receive Your counsel concerning what to eat. I get regular rest and sleep. I am quick to forgive and I do not harbor bitterness or hatred in my heart. I love, I pray, I commune with You, I seek to be a blessing to others, I commit my ways to You and I trust in You to bring to pass Your best in my life. I live long and I live strong! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
(Prov 10:27 CEV) If you respect the LORD, you will live longer; if you keep doing wrong, your life will be cut short.
In this text Solomon contrasts the length of life of those who respect (or fear) the Lord with that of those who disregard Him. Preparing for this message took me a little longer than normal. Not because I did not know what to say, but rather because I had too much to say.
The Lord has had me to teach on this topic before and I was quite surprised when I first researched it, but the Bible has a great deal to say about God’s desire for us to live long and prosperous lives. The Father desires that we maximize our purpose and potential in the earth. He has plans for us (Jer 29:11) and He is dutiful to do all that He can to help us to fulfill those plans. But since He has made us free morale agents, we have a role to play. He wants to operate in our lives, but we must cooperate with Him. If we do not, we hinder Him from giving us His best and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Back in chapter 3 (of Proverbs), God through Solomon said, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity” (verses 1,2). That is about as plain as it can be. The Father’s teaching, when properly applied, will add length and quality to our lives – period!
He went on to say, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold… Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor” (verses 13,14, and 16).
Long life is in the hand of Lady Wisdom. When we receive, believe, and apply her teaching, we will enjoy the benefits of living long and strong! In chapter 9 he said, “Respect and obey the LORD! This is the beginning of wisdom. To have understanding, you must know the Holy God. I am Wisdom. If you follow me, you will live a long time” (verses 10,11).
What the insinuation? If you follow Godly wisdom – God’s way of doing things – you will live a long time. But what if you don’t? Then you obviously will not and it won’t be God’s fault. And finally, let’s look at the 91st Psalm. I love this Psalm. I call it the Psalm of Protection and I often quote. The last few verses say, “The LORD says, I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16).
A long life is a reward for them that trust in the Father; who live their lives by His instruction. Isn’t this what you want?
On the other hand, the Lord through Solomon, in our text, says that our life will be cut short if we keep doing wrong. If we ignore God’s commands, if we forsake His wisdom, we are only being a detriment to ourselves. Solomon’s Father (David) said, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption; bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you” (Psalm 55:22,23).
So what does this mean? I hope the message is clear. It means that the Father desires for you to live long and strong! However, you have a say in the matter. He has given you His instruction and if you apply it, you will enjoy the benefits of it. But if you don’t, if you ignore Him, if you choose to reject His wisdom, then you will have to deal with the consequences. Either way, you will reap what you sow. The choice is yours!
Father, I make the right choice today. Your Word gives me insight for living. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit leads me in the way that I should go. I declare, by faith, that I listen and obey. I receive Your counsel concerning what to eat. I get regular rest and sleep. I am quick to forgive and I do not harbor bitterness or hatred in my heart. I love, I pray, I commune with You, I seek to be a blessing to others, I commit my ways to You and I trust in You to bring to pass Your best in my life. I live long and I live strong! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
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