“My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you” Proverbs 3:1, 2).
Heavenly Father, how blessed we are to have You for our teacher, teaching us the way of Your law, that we might walk in light, not darkness, and be blessed. Please make us aware that Your way is always the best way! This we pray in the blessed name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
Today, we begin a study in chapter 3 of the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is considered one of the Wisdom books. These are books containing lessons learned from life, and, for life. Composed by the sages, their moral, practical, and life preserving principles and counsels are priceless!
In the verses for today, as the chapter is being introduced, it informs us of some of the benefits to be derived from reading and adhering to its principles: length of days and long life and peace.
You will notice that length of days, and long life, that could be seen as the same thing, are following one behind the other in the sentence. Upon further study, I discovered a rather interesting definition that explains the reason for this:
753. ’ ôrek, a masculine noun meaning length, long. . . “A desirable state of existence embodies those who walk in obedience and wisdom. This kind of existence begins in the eternity of God and is granted to those He has chosen” (Hebrew-Greek Study Bible, KJV, Old Testament Dictionary, p. 1776).
And always, when reading Scripture, keep in mind the fact that God does not reject us, therefore, those He has chosen, are those who have chosen Him!
So we are not talking only about living long, but about a special quality of longevity. How often, in speaking to friends about life, I have expressed my preference of quality over quantity! How much good, if any at all, is there to living for many years, without a knowledge of God, with poor health, without hope, or love?
If life is going to be brief, then let me live it in comfort, surrounded by those I love, and with hope of a better, fuller, life in Jesus, when this life comes to an end. That is what Jesus promises to those who live according to His will for their lives. And to top it, eternity! For some, a long life here, for others, perhaps a brief life. But for all who live in a personal relationship of love and obedience to God – eternity!
But that is not all. He has also promised an extra bonus – peace! That coveted, state of mind that our world is so much in need of! So many in our community of friends and Faith, are lacking peace. Jesus promises to give us His peace, not the kind of peace the world offers, but His peace (John 14:27).
The kind of peace that makes you sleep soundly, even when you do not know where your next meal is coming from. Even when you only have the half of your mortgage, or rent, and it is due in less than a week, and you are not expecting another check until next month!
The kind of peace that makes you ask yourself, “Why am I feeling so peaceful, when everything is going so wrong?” It is called the “peace that surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
During this series I invite you to compare your life as it is now, and what it could become if you remembered and decided, to be obedient to God.