From the very beginning, God’s design for mankind has been the good life, in all of its splendor. Any doubt about it can be easily squelched when you look at the first family and God’s dealing with them in Genesis 1 and 2. And His plan hasn’t changed since.

Despite the knowledge of God’s plan, however, there are many who fail to realize it in their own lives. Simply put, there are many who haven’t discovered the keys to living a God-designed life. If that’s you (or someone you know), then fret no more, because I’m going to share some answers—from God Himself—that will help you get on with the business of living—and living very well, I might add.

Enjoying Life and Seeing Good Days

“What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?” (Psalm 34:12).

I think it’s safe to say that we’ll all raise our hands in response to this question. So with the motivation in place, let’s go further in Psalm 34 to see what we must DO to go from desire to possession:

1.  Watch your mouth! Keep your talk in line with God’s will and Word, which are one in the same. Our words are spiritual containers that carry forth the life (or death) that we release and from there determine the course of our lives. So we must diligently guard our mouths and speak forth the life we desire only and nothing else.  And of course, every other type of evil speech (lying, gossip, backbiting, slander, unbelief, etc.) is forbidden.  “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile” (v.13).

2.  Rid your life of any sinful habits and behaviors and do what’s right, and while you’re at it, seek peace (with God and man) and continuously pursue it. Like all areas of development, this area will require commitment to stick with it, even when you make a mistake and miss it. In those times you may be tempted to give up and quit, but don’t. You have the help of the Holy Spirit and all of Heaven rooting you on, so go for it and never stop. “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (v. 14).

And there we have it—the tried and true prescription for the good life in a few simple steps. As we obey these instructions, we are promised a long, abundant life, marked with God’s goodness! And that was His design all the time.