Length of Days

Length of Days
by Pete Berardi

Modern history has been trying to control many things on earth. None has taken great precedence that extending life. How many drugs are on the market that promise to be the next fountain of youth? How many diet plans are recommended to help you live longer? How many self help books have been written to provide peace of mind? In my opinion there is no greater prescription than God’s word. Consider this verse:

Proverbs 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

Notice how the Bible talks about length of days and long life as if they were too different things. Certainly one can live a long life but their days are short. This verse also speaks of peace. Certainly we all want peace. Not just freedom from wars but also internal peace is very important. This verse promises them to us. But in order to know what will give us this peace, we need to look at the verse previous. Let us examine it.

Proverbs 3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

Keeping God’s commandments are the way to length of days, long life and peace. God’s word is the perfect antidote to any disease. God’s laws are better than any drug. They are the perfect psychiatrist. God’s wisdom is the ultimate wisdom. No self-help book can be a substitute for the words of our Creator. He made us, he knows our frame, and he loves us and wants the best for us. His commandments are not there to make life harder, but easier.

Humanity and human nature are hooked on the fact that we can do it better than God can and that we know better than God. This is malarkey. How can we know more about ourselves than the One that created us? God gave us the wonderful gift of his word. All we have to do to have length of days, long life and peace is to follow his commandments. In order to follow his commandments, we have to know his commandments. The only way to do that is to read his holy word, The Bible. Read it, Heed it, Know it.