“My child,never forget the things I have taught you.Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying… Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones…Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.” (Proverbs 3:1,2,7,8,15,16 NLT)
“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 NLT)
“Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” (Proverbs 10:27 NLT)
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10 NLT)
“and everyone who lives and believes in Me [as Savior] will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:26 AMP)
“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. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous; and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12 NKJV)
Have you ever said something like “Better do it today, ‘cuz ya know you ain’t promised tomorrow”? I know I have. Like so many others, I have been guilty of taking one or two verses, and without taking the time and effort to study the Word I have constructed “doctrines and theologies” to support what appears to be truth. At first glance, the idea that there are no promises for tomorrow seems to line up with the “facts of life.” After all, people die unexpectedly every day. But with a deeper dive into the Word of God I quickly realized that this was not as true as I thought it was.
Passages that lead us to believe that there are no promises for tomorrow tend to be in the context of sin and independence from God. Those who make their own plans, and selfishly seek their own futures, without considering the Lord are not promised tomorrow. For those who are walking with God, in obedience to his word, the Bible does give the promise of longevity. When the Lord orders my steps I am able to confidently plan for the future. There are promises for tomorrow.
Before you pull the trigger, I am NOT implying that when someone dies abruptly it is automatically due to anything wrong on their part. I am also NOT saying that being a follower of Jesus automatically protects me from a premature death. It is not that cut and dry in this sin sick world.
I AM saying that there are passages that clearly show that it is the Father’s design and desire (will) for me to live a long, strong, life worth living with nothing missing or broken. I am able to build faith filled expectations for tomorrow. I am not going to put my faith in calamity and death, building an expectation of the worst. I am going to put my faith in blessing and life, building an expectation of the best. You may ask, “What if the best doesn’t happen?” My only answer is, “What if it does?”
Ephesians 6:1-3 is an amazing promise that originated in the Old Covenant and carried over into the New Covenant:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” (BSB)
One of the the very first teachings that we are to give our children boldly promises them a whole lot of tomorrows. Who am I to water it down, or explain it away, because things have happened that I have no answer for? From the earliest ages we are to live with hope and expectation of a bright tomorrow, and a long life.
I am tempted to lower my expectations, not get my hopes up, and guard myself against disappointment. If I lower the bar far enough I will always hit it. However, I will never soar with the eagles if I am scratching the ground with the chickens. I would rather set the bar so high that the only way I will hit it is with supernatural assistance from my Daddy. I will trust Him to hold me up when disappointment comes, and get me through when my faith does not bring immediate results.
Do people die young? Yes.
Is that the Lord’s design and desire (will)? No!
Am I able to expect to live long? Yes!
I will dare to believe…
…Eric’s Life Lesson # 144: “Maybe you don’t think you have been promised tomorrow, but I have!”