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Aloha Dearest Family,
Psalm 91 ends with some magnificent promises to us from God.
“Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.“ (Verses 14-16)
God has always desired for man to live long lives and to enjoy life to the fullest. His ultimate desire was for his creation (us) to have continuous fellowship with Him.
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.” (Proverbs 3:1 and 2)
God wants us to not only live a long life, but that we would also have peace. God must surely love us very much.
When Israel was getting ready to cross into the Promised Land, God gave them instructions in how to prosper and do well in the land they were entering. God laid out for them the terms of His covenant with them. He detailed all of the blessings that would be theirs if they obeyed His commandments. He also detailed the curses that they would experience if they disobeyed His commandments.
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing...” (Deuteronomy 30:19a)
After leaving them the choice to obey Him or not; to render to themselves God’s blessings or God’s curses, He advises them which choice to make.
“Therefore CHOOSE LIFE, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Verses 19b and 20)
God wants His people to prosper and be in health. He desires man to not just survive, He wants them to thrive. God wants His people to live long lives, with peace and enjoying His abundant blessings.
An Endless Life
God knew that one day He would send His own son to save the world. And because he would choose to lay down his own life, God would give him his heart’s desire - to live forever.
“The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give! You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, forever and ever.” (Psalm 21:1-4)
The ”King” in these verses refers to the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave up his life for mankind and in return, as a reward, God gave him a body that would never die.
One day Christ will return for us. On that day our bodies will be changed into a body that is like HIS glorious body.
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20 and 21)
Even though it is God’s desire that we all live long lives, sadly, many do not. But to those who have Jesus Christ as their Lord, they are guaranteed to live forever in a new body without sickness, disease or defects. This awaits all of God's children.
This life is very short compared to eternity. It’s time to choose LIFE and be blessed forever and ever. For who wouldn’t want to live forever?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “ (John 3:16)
Love Always, Ray
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