Writing for Focus on the Family magazine, Marianne Hering entitles her article “Believe Well, Live Well.” She writes, ““Pluck any man out of a church pew on Sunday morning and liken him to a neighbor who’s still at home, pouring through the two-pound Sunday newspaper in his easy chair. Let’s say the two are of the same age and earn comparable salaries. Neither of them smokes, drinks or plays the lottery. Both floss their teeth, collect baseball cards and enjoy cheesecake. Which man will live longer and enjoy the benefits of a stable marriage? Answer: the man (or woman) in the pew. In recent years, scientific research is backing up what common sense has told us for years, mainly that churchgoers live longer, stay married and feel happier than those who say they don’t believe in God.”

There is increasing evidence from a wide variety of statisticians that Christians live healthier, happier and longer lives. What the Scriptures promise, that Christ has come to give us abundant life, is being documented and published. First of all, notice that Christians are said to live longer lives. As Solomon instructs his son on how to live a righteous life, he tells him that the “fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom.” He then adds, “The fear of the LORD prolongs life” (Proverbs 10:27). Several of the commandments carry blessings along with that that include living long and prosperous lives (See Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16 as well as Ephesians 6:2). Psalm 128:5-6 is a reflection of the song writer regarding the blessings associated with God’s people; those who fear and obey Him. It not only reflects on a prosperous life but the length of life. Verses five and six read, “May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children!”

According to one Rand Report entitled, “Health, Marriage, and Longer Life for Men,” a healthy marriage makes for a healthy life. One of their assertions is that “…good health reduces the risk of mortality.” I just want to add my “duh!” to that statement. But it goes on to add that “… marriage contributes to good health.” Further, it reports that “Comparisons of older married and divorced men, however, show that the relative health levels of the latter drop significantly as they age. By the time divorced men reach age 50, they can expect their health to deteriorate much faster than the health of those who are married.” Just last month Jim Jeffries reported that a new study from Duke and the University of Chicago report that people who divorce were “…in worse health than those who remained married.” God’s purpose and plans for man are always best and the wisest healthiest way to life is embrace God’s plan for marriage; permanent, exclusive, secure, faithful relationship enhances life in all ways. Yes, Solomon, you are right, “he who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord” (Proverbs 18:22)