Living for eternity

In his proverbs Solomon gave helpful information about how people should live, which included looking at both life and death.

“The greedy bring ruin to their households, but the one who hates bribes will live.” (Proverbs 15:27 NIV)

To enjoy life requires honesty in all aspects of how we live. If our lives are centred on acquiring more and more in anyway that we can, we end up with trouble in our homes. In contrast, if we hate dishonesty, we will enhance our lives and we will be enabled to have a life. A good life is doing well and having what you do recognised.

“When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.” (Proverbs 16:15)

How we view life determines how we will live. Are we at peace with ourselves and others? If we are we will find life much more pleasant.

“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” (Proverbs 14:30 NIV)

What is our view of life? Are we in turmoil because of what others have that we don’t have? Are we willing to do anything to acquire what they have – or even take it from them? Sadly, if our lives are based on envy it destroys us! If we are able to live at peace our lives will be far better, physically and mentally. Not surprisingly, our health-care professionals recognise how crucial mental health plays in our well-being, yet Solomon wrote about this over three thousand years ago!

So how should we live? What should be the focus of our lives?

“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour.” (Proverbs 21:21)

This stands as such a contrast to how many live today. We need to be seeking what is good, right, and kind. If we are doing this what we find is a good life with respect from others. Connected with this, of course, is serving God. Life should be lived always with God in the centre.

“The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.” (Proverbs 19:23)

Isn’t this what people are searching for? Aren’t people after contentment and a trouble-free life? But they can’t find this type of life in searching for wealth or pleasure – or trying to do better than everyone else. The key to a good life is having a relationship with God. If the focus of our life is on serving and obeying him then we will find life – real life.

What is the goal of our life? As those who believe in God we realise this life isn’t all there is – there is something better waiting for us when life in this world is over. How we live our lives now prepares us for living eternally with God.

“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality…The path of life leads upward for the prudent to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.” (Proverbs 12:28; 15:24)

We live our lives for God so that we are prepared for the life that comes after we die. The words ‘death’ and ‘die’ are found around 20 to 30 times in the Proverbs, plus another dozen references to Sheol, the place of the dead (sometimes translated ‘the grave’).

How we view death and, ultimately, how we face death depends on how we are living. Are we living so that we are prepared for eternity? If so we can look forward to the day when our life ends because we realise that we will then possess something far better than what we have now.

“When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.” (Proverbs 14:32)

Death, for the righteous, is a comfort.

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Readings for next week: Proverbs 15-21