Is there anything I can do to guarantee myself a long life?
The desire to live a long life is universal. We all want to enjoy health, relationships, meaningful work and pursuits for as long as possible. But is there anything we can do to guarantee a long life? What does the Bible have to say about this topic?
While the Bible does not offer any definitive guarantees for long life, it does provide wisdom and perspective to help us understand God’s purposes in the length of our lives. Overall, Scripture emphasizes living well over living long.
Walk in God’s Ways
The Bible connects walking in God’s ways with long life in many places. For example, Deuteronomy 5:33 states, “Walk in obedience to all that the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.” Obeying God’s commands is associated with prolonging life.
In a similar vein, Deuteronomy 6:2 says, “so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” Here again, keeping God’s decrees and commands is tied to enjoying a long life.
The book of Proverbs also connects longevity with wisdom and righteousness. Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.” Walking in wisdom by obeying God’s teaching prolongs life.
Likewise, Proverbs 10:27 declares, “The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.” A lifestyle of revering God is associated with longer life.
So according to these and other Scriptures, living according to God’s principles can contribute to longevity. Of course, this does not mean upright people are guaranteed long lives. But, in general, walking in obedience, wisdom and reverence before God tends to foster health and wellbeing.
Have a Purpose in Life
Research has demonstrated strong links between having purpose in life and longevity. The Bible affirms this connection. Ecclesiastes 7:17 counsels, “Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time?” Implicit here is that foolishness and wickedness tend to result in dying prematurely, while wisdom contributes to living out one’s allotted years.
Isaiah 38 tells King Hezekiah’s story. After falling deathly ill, he cried out to God, recounting how he had walked faithfully before the Lord (v. 3). God answered his prayer, telling Hezekiah, “I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life” (v. 5). The implication is that Hezekiah’s purposeful, godly living warranted lengthening his life.
Having life purpose and meaning can foster the resilience and motivation needed to persevere through challenges. Scripture affirms that righteous living, faithfulness to God and having a sense of meaning all tend to contribute to longevity.
Trust God’s Plan
While God promises blessings for obedience, nowhere does the Bible guarantee that walking with God ensures living to old age. Many righteous people have had relatively short lives. For example, John the Baptist lived roughly 30 years before being martyred (Luke 1:5-25; 3:1-3).
The Bible commends those who serve God faithfully, even if their lives are brief. Hebrews 11 memorializes believers who accomplished much in limited time, “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice…gained what was promised” (v. 33). Length of life does not determine the value of life.
Psalm 139 reveals that the length of our lives is part of God’s plan for us. Verses 13-16 declare: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Our days were ordained and written by God before we were born.
Ultimately, longevity is in God’s hands. Rather than trying to guarantee long life, our focus should be on stewarding well the days we are given. We can pursue healthy habits while recognizing our times are in God’s hands (Psalm 31:15). Scripture calls us to make the most of each day, whether our lives are long or short.
Cultivate Faith and Prayer
While not offering guarantees, the Bible does connect faith and prayer with longevity. When facing threats to his life, King Hezekiah prayed. God honored his prayer, granting him an extended life. Hezekiah provides an example of seeking God in the face of mortality.
Luke 18 records Jesus healing a blind man who demonstrated persistent faith. Afterwards, the man “followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God” (v. 43). The Bible does not specify if the blind man lived a long life, but the story illustrates that faith pleases God, regardless of outcomes.
Scripture urges us to present our desires and fears to God in prayer. The Psalms are full of prayers pleading for healing and prolonged life. We are encouraged to voice these petitions to our heavenly Father, while resting in his sovereign will. As 1 John 5:14-15 assures, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” Through prayer, we can boldly request long life while trusting in God’s perfect will.
Put God First
Some of Jesus’ strongest warnings about length of life relate to priorities. Luke 9:24-25 declares, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for you to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit your very self?” Grasping at worldly things while rejecting Jesus costs us not just our souls, but also our very lives.
Jesus assured that seeking God’s kingdom should be our top priority. Doing so adds value to our temporally short lives. Matthew 6:33 instructs, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” When we put God first, earthly concerns like food and clothing are provided. Even if our lives are short, their value comes from pleasing our Creator.
Of course, God rewards wholehearted commitment. Hebrews 11:6 promises, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Still, living to please the Lord is more important than length of days. As Psalm 116:15 articulates, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Our lives and deaths have eternal significance when dedicated to God.
Appreciate Each Day
Instead of grasping for more days, the Bible instructs us to treasure each moment. Moses, who lived 120 years (Deuteronomy 34:7), offers life-defining advice: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). More than desiring long life, we should ask God to help us gain wisdom each day.
The book of James admonishes, “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (4:14). We cannot control how many days we have. But we can control our response to each day’s opportunities and challenges.
Paul echoes the need to make the most of our finite time, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). Long or short, our lives have purpose when aligned with God’s will.
The Bible balances praying for long life and accepting its brevity. Most of all, Scripture invites us to cultivate wisdom each day. While not guaranteeing longevity, walking with God fills life with meaning—no matter its length.
Trust God’s Timing
As mentioned before, many righteous people have died young while some wicked people live long lives. Ultimately, the precise length of our lives is in God’s sovereign plan and timing. We should find comfort in God’s perfect plan, while also living diligently each day. As Psalm 139:16 declares, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Additionally, Scripture reminds us that this earthly life is not all there is. Our souls live eternally, transcending earthly lifespans. The apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Paul valued serving God in this life while anticipating eternity in God’s presence after death.
Psalm 116:15 declares, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” While longevity is a blessing, the length of our earthly lives does not determine our value. Both in life and death, faithful followers of Jesus have witness and purpose.
The biblical accounts of Enoch and Elijah reinforce this truth. Genesis 5:24 simply states that “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away.” Despite his life being cut short at 365 years, Enoch was commended for his close walk with God.
Similarly, Elijah was taken to heaven alive in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). His earthly work was done, though his lifepspan was a fraction of others mentioned in the Bible. Though seemingly “short,” Enoch and Elijah’s lives were complete because they walked faithfully with God.
So ultimately, our lives are complete when we fulfill God’s purposes. Whether he ordains days for us to walk on earth, or calls us sooner to eternity, we can trust God’s timing. Psalm 31:14-15 articulates this perspective in prayer: “But I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.” Our lives and days have meaning because they are in God’s loving hands.
Live Well
Though the Bible does not guarantee long life, it does provide wisdom for living well. Walking in godly obedience, cultivating purpose, having faith, putting God first, seizing each day—these practices hold value whether our lives are long or short.
Moses provides a great example of one who lived long yet focused on living well. Deuteronomy 34:7 notes that Moses lived 120 years. His vitality was still strong when God called him home. Yet earlier in his life, Moses prayed earnestly for God to teach him to number his days (Psalm 90:12). He valued gaining wisdom more than adding days.
Most of all, Moses sought to know God’s ways, intercede for his people and lead them to the Promised Land. Though unable to enter himself, Moses fulfilled his purpose faithfully (Deuteronomy 3:23-29). The grief of his death indicates the impact he had, despite not living to old age by modern standards. Moses exemplified the biblical paradigm of living well over living long.
The prophet Micah captured this emphasis: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (6:8). Acting justly, loving mercy, walking humbly – this is what God requires. This is living well.
In the New Testament, Paul wrote passionately about living to exalt Christ and serve others. He aspired “that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death” (Philippians 1:20). Paul lived well whether he lived long or died soon. His compelling focus was magnifying Jesus, bearing spiritual fruit, and laying up eternal rewards.
When facing death, Paul said confidently, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Because he walked faithfully with Christ, Paul could embrace death without fear or regret.
The Bible does not guarantee longevity. But it does illuminate how to have rich meaning and purpose in the years we are given – however long or short. As Psalm 90:12 exhorts, God can teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Let us therefore walk worthy of our calling, glorify Christ and serve others. Living well brings value to our lives, no matter their length.
Focus on Eternal Perspective
The Bible provides wisdom for living well, but also keeps an eternal perspective. This world is not all there is. Our earthly lives, whether long or short, are brief compared to eternity. Moses lived 120 years, yet Psalm 90 still describes life as “soon cut off, and we fly away” (v. 10). Compared to eternity, even a long life passes swiftly.
That is why the Bible exhorts us to invest in things of eternal value. Jesus warned not to “store up for yourselves treasures on earth” but rather to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). He calls us to live generously and obey God, preparing us for eternity.
Scripture contrasts earthly life to eternal life. Our current bodies are described as perishable and weak, subject to the effects of sin. But our future bodies will be imperishable and glorious, no longer hindered by sin (1 Corinthians 15:42-44).
While we experience the brokenness of this fallen world now, eternity promises no more death, mourning, crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). The brevity of earthly life makes way for the perfection of eternal life.
Rather than grasping for longevity here and now, God wants us to anticipate spending eternity with him. Psalm 16:11 promises, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” This prophetic psalm points ahead to life in God’s presence.
So Scripture offers two perspectives. On one hand, we should seek to live well, however many days God grants us. On the other hand, our ultimate hope is eternity with Jesus. He endured the cross to open the way to heaven for us. When we put our faith in Christ, we gain eternal life that far outlasts earthly life.
An eternal perspective helps us live purposefully in the present. As 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 encourages: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Reminders of our mortality can motivate us to walk closely with Jesus and invest in his kingdom. We do not need to be guaranteed 70 or 80 years. Our lives have purpose when aligned with God’s will – whether he ordains days for us on earth or calls us sooner to heaven. As believers, we hope to spend eternity in resurrected bodies free forever from sin and death. This makes our brief earthly lives profoundly meaningful.
Conclusion
The Bible does not offer a formula to guarantee long life. However, Scripture provides rich perspective on living with purpose however many years God grants. Walking in godly wisdom and cultivating faith pleases our Creator and often fosters longevity. But he ordains the number of our days, and even short lives can bring eternal glory to God.
Above all, the Bible shifts our focus from fixation on earthly longevity to anticipation of eternity with Jesus. Our immortal souls are secure by faith in Christ, who conquered sin and death on our behalf. We can trust our times are in God’s hands, whether he calls us sooner or later to our eternal home. Scripture assures that we who believe will dwell forever with the Lord. This eternal hope infuses our earthly lives with profound meaning and significance.