Longevity of Life
RISE AND SHINE FOR JESUS!
By Pam Iannello (my late mother)
Since I learned that I have
breast cancer, longevity of life has been somewhat of an issue for me, and
understandably so! I have so many more things that I would like to do in my
lifetime, especially things pertaining to the work of the Lord. Cancer or not,
none of us knows for sure how long we will reside here upon earth but we can
gain some insight into this topic as we scan the lives of former believers. As
you look over the scriptures below, ponder the noted attributes of a few of these
men and women who experienced longevity of life. Their unique testimonies
afford us some helpful hints for thriving till a ripe old age! But before we
begin, let me ask you this question - would
you be able to prolong your life? It seems to me that character, not just
health, might have had something to do with their extended existence…
2 Samuel 19:32 (KJV)
Now Barzillai was
a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had provided the
king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very great man.
This man had shown great kindness
to King David during his exile. Barzillai did all he could to meet David’s
needs; he provided the king nourishment and all necessary supplies to keep him
alive and comfortable. And Barzillai thought it his reasonable service… Many
times we focus on great men yet fail to consider the loyal individuals behind
great men who keep them going. Barzillai was the kind of man who was happy to bountifully
support his king while others had turned against him – a risky decision indeed,
yet one that exhibited courage and loving
reverence!
Luke 2:36-37 (KJV)
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the
tribe of Aser: she was of
a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her
virginity; [37] And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which
departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night
and day.
This godly woman loved being in
the house of God and devoted herself to serving the Lord through fastings and
prayers. Coupled with that fact, as a prophetess, Anna was gifted in
interpreting and declaring the Word of God. Though not all believers are
faithful with their God given talents, she was a good steward of her abilities
and dedicated them to forwarding the cause of Christ, night and day! And on a side note, it seems that Anna was also a
very loyal wife…
2 Chron. 24:15-16 (KJV)
But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years
old was he when he died. [16] And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel
Time and space doesn’t permit me
to mention in detail all the ways that this zealous man assertively aided right
causes! The son of Paseah, Jehoiada assisted in repairing “the old gate” in
Nehemiah… Jehoiada was also a high priest and a military leader for David. He skillfully
organized a plan to overthrow Jezebel’s daughter as queen so the right person could
be put on the throne. This person was young Joash, whom Jehoiada personally advised/discipled
during his reign. And then afterward, Jehoaida cleaned up house and removed all
the Baal worshippers and idols, paving the way for a hearty revival in the land
while preventing God’s seed from being exterminated! In one instance Jehoiada even constructed an
offering chest, and positioned it right by the altar by the gate of the house
of the Lord to collect funds for restoration purposes. In the end, more than
enough money was given to complete the work and God’s house was restored to
full use. Truly, this man committed all of his inspired ideas and skills to the
preservation of truth, having been loyal to God and king!
Job 1:8 (KJV)
And the Lord said unto Satan,
Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a
perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth
evil?
Job 1:20-22 (KJV)
Then Job arose, and rent his
mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
[21] And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return
thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of
the Lord. [22] In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 13:15 (KJV)
Though he slay me, yet
will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 42:16-17 (KJV)
After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and
his sons' sons, even four generations. [17] So Job died, being old and full of days.
All of us are pretty familiar
with the difficult trials and sorrows that Job endured and his prevailing
attitude through it all. Job remained devoted to God, even when it seemed that
God was not devoted to him, neither his wife nor friends! Though he lost
family, property, and wealth, Job emerged victorious having maintained his
integrity and loyalty to the Lord. As his
calamities increased, so did his determination to meet them. And in the
end, by way of his intestinal fortitude and love for God, Job silenced Satan
and magnified the name of the Lord! Job
was a credit to God’s trustworthy character. Let us not overlook the potent
support this man’s prime example has offered other saints down through the
years…
Truly there are several other
individuals listed in the scriptures who offer the same sort of testimony and
you would not be wasting your time in reading about them! Still, in reading
about Christians like these, we mustn’t pass up the opportunity to look at
ourselves. What about YOU, dear lady? Are you poised for a long life? Are you
dedicated to holy purposes? Are you actively defending the truth? Are you
faithfully contributing to the advancement of the cause of Christ? Are you
exhibiting equal trust in the Lord, even when your faith is personally
challenged? If you were to ask God to let
you live longer, what is it about you that might persuade the Lord to fulfill
your request?
Proverbs 3:1-2 (KJV)
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
[2] For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Proverbs 9:11 (KJV)
For by me thy days shall be
multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.
Proverbs 10:27 (KJV)
The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall
be shortened.
Eccles. 8:13 (KJV)
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his
days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
Even though you might eat right
and exercise, take reputable supplements and avoid unhealthy settings and
practices, do you have enough character
to keep yourself alive? How would God
answer that question? Ladies, the fear of the Lord does not come in capsule
form; it comes by way of reverence for and obedience to the Word of God,
resulting in a deep love for the cause of Christ and a strong defense of it. In
this alone will our quality of life be greatly enhanced!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2007 Pamela A. Iannello
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