You will probably be surprised by what you are about to learn.
Have you ever heard a preacher say that God has determined that we are to live 70 years of age, and that if you reach 80, it is because of a special blessing?
Friends, that preacher had it wrong. God did not say that 80 is the ultimate goal to reach for. It is an misapplication of the Biblical text to say that it is.
Psalms 90:10 is the popular lifespan scripture that many teachers and pastors quote while admonishing us to aim for that really special number--80 years.
"As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years..." -- Psalms 90:10
Yes, it is written in the Bible that a lifespan is 70 or 80 years, but those are not the words of God. Yet, in one form or another, in books, in articles, on social media, in Bible studies, and from pulpits that exact message has been sown into our hearts. And when a seed is planted, it produces.
The latest data on life expectancy is 70 to 80 years. Are we accepting what we thought was God’s longevity law? It sure does look like it. It looks like decades of inferior seed has produced fruit.
How can I be so sure?
The Psalmist was merely writing about the average lifespan of the people who lived during his era. He wrote his experience. It wasn't a word from the Lord. His people were living into their 70’s and a few survived to 80. But God did not establish those numbers. Just like most people today, they were not fulfilling God's decree concerning the actual human lifespan.
The Psalmist said that human life ended at 70, rarely at 80.
But God said...
“...My Spirit shall not always strive with man forever, because he is also flesh; nevertheless his days shall be 120 years."—Genesis 6: 3
According to God’s design and according to His decree, you should be filled with vitality, you should be strong and mentally sharp until you reach 120 years of age. What should happen next is that you give up your spirit and holy angels bring you safely into the home that the Lord has prepared for all who love Him. Early death is not His will and anything before 120 is early.
That, my friends, is how God wants your life and my life to be. That is what should be taught and accepted and believed. And that is the seed that should be planted in our hearts.
Wishing you the best of health.
God bless,
Pamela Koefoed