“So teach us to number our days … that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)
Anyone who likes to read a good book as well as other reading sources knows how easy it is to get ‘lost’ in what they are reading. Young people who learn early in life, constrained by a more humble lifestyle, can travel to far and distant places around the world and beyond. We do our children and grandchildren a great favor by encouraging them to become avid readers more than game-players!
It is in the same way that you and I can get ‘lost’ in the trivial and not-so-trivial matters of life that we lose our bearings and veer off in a direction that is not healthy and can even become deadly. We can get so occupied with making a living, spending too much time enjoying the world to the exclusion of “laying up treasures in heaven!”
Moses, the inspired author of Psalm 90 petitions the Lord whom he knew in a very personal and close way to help himself, the people of Israel and all mankind to “teach us to number our days.” We’ve probably heard countless lessons on this passage, but how often do we fail to store these truths in our hearts and allow them to be a guideline to live by?
We must learn from the Lord, not from ourselves or from others how to accomplish this exercise, because our days really are few compared to eternity. You see, what Moses was asking God is exactly what any of us ought to be asking: “How can I learn to weigh my days on this earth and value each one of them?”
The Bible speaks often of the brevity of life (James 4:13-17; 1:10). We will not be alive in the flesh forever. It is when we can come to grips with these truths that we can actually begin the significant process of presenting to the Lord “a heart of wisdom.” In a very real sense, we must not waste the moments of any day in such a way as to detract from our investment in eternity! This wisdom from God will repudiate any over-thinking about self and focus on God’s will and His desire for each of us to serve Him first, others second and self-last!
In light of these thoughts, we must learn what page of life we’re on as best we can. So, would you mind just taking a few moments in the quiet of your own mind and reflect on these things?
The wise man Solomon lived his life in a very large kind-of-way! He explored all available avenues to find the meaning of life and the source of real joy and happiness. He would reach the correct conclusion as he writes in Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”
- Yes, God is going to bring everything we do into judgment at the end of time!
- Evaluate your own life, not someone else’s.
- Consider where you have been placing the greatest investment of your time and your life.
- Determine where you can make improvements!
Make no mistake about it! One day … He will say to each one of us: Times up! No second chances, no opportunities for a redo! Just a standing before the Lord! Are you ready for that day? That’s a question we must preface the beginning and the ending of whatever page in life we’re on.
Bill Fairchild, Jr.
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