Long Life, Prov 3:1-2

In addition to being a spiritual book written by the Lord, the Bible is also a very practical book.  It contains practical wisdom, which, if followed, gives you a far better life on this side of glory.  Obeying the words of God will give you a long life, full of days.

Look what Solomon wrote in the following proverbs.  Prov 3:1-2, 3:16, 4:10, 4:20-22, and 8:35, for example.  This is not to say that you are going to be free of medical conditions or health problems generally affecting people because of the infirmity of our flesh.  But it is to say that your days will be fuller and longer.

1 Chr 23:1, David lived to 70 and he was full of days.  Jehoiada had a very long life, living 130 years, 2 Chr 24:15.  Likewise, Job was full of days, Job 42:17.

So what does the Bible tell us about how to have a long life?

First, train your children.  Notice how many of the proverbs we read are addressed to “my son”.  Children obey your parents in the Lord, Eph 6:1-3, “that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth”.  See Deut 6:4-9.  We must be the ones to train our children in the words and ways of the Lord.  The length of their days depends on us doing this.

Second, start young.  Young people, start following these words in you childhood.  Take responsibility for your health and life at a young age.  In Isaiah’s prophecy of the birth of Jesus, Isaiah wrote, “butter and honey shall he eat”, Is 7:15.  He discerned the right nutritional food and knew to “refuse the evil, and choose the good”.  This is your life; take care of it.

Third, stay with it through life.  In Jos 14:6-11 Caleb was as strong at 85 years old as he was when he was 40.  He didn’t become idle during the 40 year wilderness journey.  He stayed strong.

To maintain good health throughout your life you need to maintain quality nutrition, regular bodily exercise, adequate sleep and good mental and emotional health.  The Bible is loaded with instructions on these four things.  And you should be diligent to follow what the Bible says if you want to have a long life.