Isaiah 65:20 Never again will there be in it
an infant who lives but a few days,
or an old man who does not live out his years;
he who dies at a hundred
will be thought a mere youth;
he who fails to reach a hundred
will be considered accursed.

This sounds like the sort of thing modern medicine is striving for right now, and scientifically speaking it seems within reach. The thing is, there are human and demonic factors that are striving against this. Over the past two years the average life expectancy in the US actually went down, not so much because of the COVID virus but because of suicides and drug deaths triggered by the lockdowns. On top of that, the single biggest damper on US life expectancy is obesity, and that is a lifestyle issue. There are a myriad of unhealthy factors in the US diet today, and some people have become obsessed with food issues in reaction to that, and that isn’t emotionally healthy. I wrote recently that the world is a mess because we are a mess, and that applies to virtually every area of life. Infant mortality is way down statistically, but only if you don’t include abortion statistics. Miscarriage and still birth are tragedies, but certainly not more so than intentionally killing the child. We aren’t to be so focused on eternity in heaven that we ignore our time on earth. God’s design is for that to be long (from our perspective) and fruitful. Failure to be good stewards of our bodies shows a lack of gratitude toward our Creator. We owe it to Him to make full use of what He has provided.

Neither of my parents achieved great age, my mother dying at 72 and my father at 64, but my mother’s mother made it to 92. I am currently what is described as a “very vigorous” 74, and barring accidents could well make it to 100. However, as I have been increasingly aware in recent years, what is most important is not how many days we have as what we do with them. My father certainly accomplished a great deal in his 64 years! I don’t have that track record, but I think I still have some time to go. That said, I have long maintained that I am to plan like I will make it to 100, but live so that it’s OK if I leave today. My focus is to be on daily faithfulness, not making phy­sical life my goal but rather obedience to my Lord.

Father, thank You for the years You’ve given me, and for however many years are ahead. Help me be a good steward of my body and my time, doing what You desire in Your way on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!