Facing Life

We frequently hear people use the phrase, "as long as I live," making some foolish declaration in connection with it. For instance, I recently heard one say of another whom he felt had wronged him, "I'll never forgive that man; I'll hate him as long as I live." No matter how badly wronged, I should not want to tie myself up to such a life-long program of unforgiveness and hate. One who does that spoils for himself that romance and joy of living, and fills the cup of life with the bitterest dregs. There is nothing that so degrades life as clinging to one's grudges and hatreds.

When we make a lifetime commitment to a thing, it should be something that will not degrade us, but lift us up.

In the text, David commits himself to a program of song and praise unto the Lord, to which he declares his purpose to adhere as long as he lives. We know what that exalted committal did for David. It helped him to rise above his enemies. It saved him in many a time of temptation, trial and trouble. When he was cast down by affliction or adversity, it lifted him up and set him on his feet again. It was this committal that kept his harp and voice in tune. We have the fruits of it in his psalms, which through the centuries have so blessed mankind with their sweet melodies and heavenly aspirations.

A man ought to have a life program, some high and some noble purpose to which he is committed for as long as he lives; otherwise there will come times when life will appear to him tiresome and void, and when he will be tempted to let himself drop down to the lower levels of the flesh and the world around him. In life we encounter all sorts of things that irritate us, that weary us, that discourage us, that tend to embitter us and make us cynical, that tempt us to surrender our ideals and ambitions and become content with a stagnant mediocrity. When one encounters these things, it is worth everything to him to be committed to something which he prefers to life and to which he is determined to hold on until death. If you want something that will hold you up and keep you going in spite of the world, the flesh and the devil, see to it that you are tied up to some worthy object or cause for as long as you live.