Long life is a promise of God. Long life is a blessing from God. God wants you to have long days and an abundant life and we must understand this. We are able to control our time on earth.

God wants you to have long life abundantly and Satan wants you to have short life and peril. Why would God desire life for you and why would Satan desire death?

God has a plan for you. He has things He wants you to do for Him and for His kingdom. He wants you to live your life in such a way that others will be attracted to your lifestyle and desire to be like you. His desire for those who follow Him is prosperity, peace, and abundance in all areas.

The devil, on the other hand, wants your life shortened. He knows that one Spirit-filled Christian, walking in the fullness of God, can deal a severe blow to his kingdom. He knows that a believer who lives a long life of prosperity and health will attract others to the Kingdom of God. Satan hates God and will do everything possible to make the Kingdom of God look unappealing.

Satan is the king of deception. He tempts us and tricks us into missing God's blessing of long life by tempting us into disobedience.

Proverbs 3:1-2 says that if we do not forget God's law and if we keep His commands, that the result is that God will add length of days and long life. If we make light of the laws of God through our repeated disobedience and lack of repentance and if our heart is not set toward keeping His commands, we limit our days on this earth.

Ephesians 6:2-3 tells us that if we honor our parents, then our life on earth will be long. This is one of the reasons that Satan seeks to destroy the family. Rebellion and contention in the home and the dishonoring of parents shortens our lives.

It is true that the thief comes to steal, kill, and to destroy. We must understand that we are the ones who are the target of his destruction. Everyday that a Christian walks on this earth in the fullness of God, he witnesses to the glory of God. We should seek out God's Word, follow His commands, and do everything possible to add length to our days. And by living these days in the fullness of God and His Word, we bring glory to Him.

"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)

"'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.'" (Ephesians 6:2-3)

Devotion 0408