"The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened" Prov. 10:27
There is
no doubt about it. The fear of the Lord leads to virtuous habits, and these
prevent that waste of life which comes of sin and vice. The holy rest which
springs out of faith in the Lord Jesus also greatly helps a man when he is ill.
Every physician rejoices to have a patient whose mind is fully at ease. Worry
kills, but confidence in God is like healing medicine.
We have
therefore all the arrangements for long life, and if it be really for our good,
we shall see a good old age, and come to our graves as shocks of corn in their
season. Let us not be overcome with sudden expectation of death the moment we
have a finger-ache, but let us rather expect that we may have to work on
through a considerable length of days.
And what
if we should soon be called to the higher sphere? Certainly there would be
nothing to deplore in such a summons, but everything to rejoice in. Living or
dying we are the Lord's. If we live, Jesus will be with us; if we die, we shall
be with Jesus.
The
truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time, but using
every hour for the highest ends. So be it this day.
Charles
Haddon Spurgeon from his "Faith's Checkbook" series
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