Bible Reading: Psalm 61; Revelation 17
“Thou will prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations” – Psalm 61:6 (KJV).
God promised to satisfy his people with long life (Psalm 61:6). However, long life should not be our focus but good, godly and impactful life. We should focus on fulfilling our destiny and bringing glory to God. It is possible to live long but not fulfill destiny.
Life is not all about duration but about donation. It is not how long but how well we live that matters. While we desire to enjoy long life and good health, we should aim at living a life that will meaningfully impact others and glorify God – a life of blessing to God and humanity. “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his father, and saw corruption” – Acts 13:36 (KJV). A long life that is not a blessing to humanity and glory to God is a wasted life or life abused.
Apostle Paul said he will prefer to go home and be with the Lord, but he sacrificed to stay longer so he can impact more people. This is the only essence of long life. If it is not for God and his kingdom, it is meaningless. God gives us long life to give us opportunity to fulfill our life’s purpose and bring more people into the kingdom. Outside of God’s purpose or apart from God’s plan, long life is meaningless. But in the light of God’s plans and purpose, long life assumes a different meaning entirely.
Everything God does or that God permits is for a purpose. God’s purpose for long life is not for pleasure but for kingdom purpose. Failure to understand this will make some Christians to compromise their faith or evade trials and persecutions to remain alive just for simply long life. When we understand purpose, one will be prepared to lose one’s life for the sake of God and his kingdom. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it” – Mark 8:35 (KJV).
PRAYER: Lord, help me to live for you and your kingdom.
Rev. Vincent Diolu