Live long and prosper: what that actually means to me

Yesterday we talked about obeying God but what does that look like in practice? Let’s start with a recap of the ten commandments [with my liberal and practical application in square brackets!], just like Moses did –

• ‘have no other god before me’ [make sure nothing gets in the way of you and your God; let nothing be more important to you than he is]
• ‘don’t worship any image’ [don’t let anything distract from worshipping God; don’t worship the created thing rather than the Creator]
• ‘don’t misuse the name of your God’ [be careful when speaking out in God’s name that you are actually saying what God would want you to say; and steer clear of using God’s name as an expletive]
• ‘keep the Sabbath holy’ [make sure Sunday is different to any other day; make sure you take a good day’s rest and relaxation once a week, even if it can’t be a Sunday]
• ‘honour your father and mother’ [you are in relationship with them whether you like it or not so make it the best it can be]
• ‘you shall not murder’ [say nothing that kills a part of someone else with your words and do nothing that drains the life from someone else]
• ‘you shall not commit adultery’ [stay faithful; do all that you can to make your relationship work and stay healthy]
• ‘you shall not steal’ [look after other people’s property and always give it back; take nothing that doesn’t belong to you]
• ‘you shall not give false testimony against your neighbour’ [no lying, gossiping, spreading rumours, exaggerating or raising an eyebrow]
• ‘don’t covet anything that belongs to your neighbour’ [stop comparing yourself and what you have to other people – envy robs you of contentment]

The mountain was ablaze with fire. A voice came out of the darkness. God showed his glory and majesty. And the people were afraid. Rightly so. Afraid that God would destroy them. Because they knew he could. They were in awe. They were treating God with the respect he deserved. They wanted Moses to stand between them and God –

Go near and listen to all that the Lord our God says. Then tell us whatever the Lord our God tells you. We will listen and obey.  Deuteronomy 5;27

It’s easy to get complacent. Familiarity breeds contempt and all that. A bit like in the film ‘Into the Storm’ which we watched at the weekend, where two idiot extreme sports Youtubers (who would do anything for hits) do not treat the approaching tornadoes with the respect they deserve. They do not feel and respond to the fear they should be feeling. They do not seek shelter or protection. It happens. People ignore the warning signs of rumbling volcanoes or weather warnings of approaching hurricanes. They do not recognise the potential devastating force of extreme nature.

Sometimes fear is a good thing. It makes us act appropriately to keep ourselves out of harm’s way. It makes us seek shelter or protection. It fills us with the adrenaline for fight or flight. In this passage, a healthy fear (awe/respect) of God is the incentive to do the right thing.

God likes what he is hearing –

The Lord heard you when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me, “I have heard what this people said to you. Everything they said was good. Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”  Deuteronomy 5:28-29

SO…….

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.  Deuteronomy 5:33

So are you telling me that if I obey God, I will live long and prosper?

….if I obey God, I will never get cancer or arthritis or diabetes?

….if I obey God, I will have enough money for a nice house, nice car, nice clothes and handbags?

…if I obey God, I will be successful at work and rise effortlessly to the top?

…if I obey God, everyone I care for will remain healthy and happy and live good lives

…if I obey God, I will always find a car parking space?

NO NO NO NO NO NO!

Sorry, but I don’t believe that is the deal. I’ve lived through too much and seen too much in the lives of others to believe it is that simple.

To me, it’s all about living life to the full. If we stick to God’s guidelines for life, then we will be thankful for each day and make the most of it. We will find contentment in not comparing ourselves to others and feel blessed that we have enough. The little joys in life will feel priceless and make us feel rich. We will make the most of the health that we do have and embrace a healthy lifestyle. We will find a way to handle stress and anxiety and negativity that sets us free and brings us joy. We will work at the relationships in our lives to make them the best they can be. And we will allow enough time to find a car parking space ourselves or better still, not go to the Metro Centre at the most ridiculous times but take the dog for a walk instead!