Attending a memorial service for a 58 year old person who suddenly passed, I heard a person stand up to say a few good words about the deceased. The comments started out with, “We know the Bible says that sometimes God will cut a life short…” and this person went on to relate the good memories and experiences that had been shared. I thought to myself, “It does? Hmm, where does the Bible say that?” – and, I am still trying to find in the Bible where God will shorten your life. I did find that sin, refusal to hear God’s Word and voice, disobedience, and just not paying attention can cut a person’s life short. I found that wicked rulers can cut people’s life short, even babies two years old and under. I just did not find where God cuts his people’s lives short. I did find in Psalms 91 that the person who dwells in the secret place of the Most High is promised to be satisfied with a long life and deliverance even though much adversity is experienced. I did find that the fear of the Lord prolongs days but the years of the wicked shall be shortened, and life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 10:27; 18:21). I found where wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in God’s holy ways will multiply our days and increase years of our life (Proverbs 9:10, 11; 3:1, 2, 13-18). From my search I found that sickness, disease, calamity, and destruction comes from several sources – satanic attack, idolatry and witchcraft, unforgiveness, faults, error, believing a lie, not taking care of our “temple” (our body), fear, unbelief, and “not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians 11:29-31). God has made promise and provison through his Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. It is our responsibility to receive his Word in faith and to position ourselves in prayer, listening to, and obeying him, so his leadership can make sure those promises come to pass in our lives. My wife was going to pass a semi-truck. Just as she started around it, she heard the Holy Spirit say, “Don’t pass that truck.” She slowed down to get behind it to see it start fish-tailing in such a way that there would have been a terrible accident. God is in the life saving business, not the life taking business. His design for us is a long, satisfying life in his presence. His presence will be with us in good times and in bad, and it is always to bring us through to victory. We just need to be totally committed to him and pay attention to all his instructions. If a child is told to not go into the street, but goes anyway, disaster can result. Staying in the secret place of his presence, listening to him, is the place we want to be. God’s promises are sure to the life committed to him. Live life to the fullest! That’s what God wants!