165. Prolong your Days
Deuteronomy 32:47 For it is not a vain thing for you because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
This conditional promise is based upon setting your hearts upon all the words of Moses and upon commanding the children to observe to do them. The words Moses is talking about are the speeches of Deuteronomy and by extension all the Torah. But particularly the words of Moses are the “Ten Words” of the Law.
“The Words” are not a vain thing for us. The Commandments are not empty words, nice suggestions, or pious wishes. “It is your life.” “Do this and you will live.” Living according to the commands and principles of the Bible produces a good life. This is true. Let that truth settle into your heart and mind. Of course, we don’t do a good job of setting our minds on the Law of God, and we certainly don’t keep the whole Law, nor do we faithfully command our children. We are always sinners, and we raise other sinners. But still, the closer we come to living according to the Word the more life we live.
Also, along with a good life, God promises that that we will prolong our days in the Kingdom. Life in the Kingdom of God will be long, meaning full and rich, bountiful and blessed. This is what we want; this is what we fail to do; this is what Jesus does for us; this is the life Jesus gives us by grace. We believe it, we receive it, and we thankfully enjoy the promise of life. “The just will live by faith.” “Whoever believes in Him has eternal life.” The cost of providing us with that kind of life eternally can never be taken for granted. We believe in Jesus. We maintain the life by daily repentance and renewal of faith. In Christ, we meet the condition and so reap the benefits of the promise of life.
The “land” is the kingdom of God. God gives it. It is within. We live in that kingdom while enduring an existence in the world of sin and evil. Set your mind on the kingdom, where God lives and reigns, where life is enjoyed to the full. Pay attention to Law and Gospel: it is your life, a long and rewarding one. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be yours as well.”