Teach Us To Number Our Days

When we are young, we think we will live forever, but as we grow older, we should realize that forever is relative.  It took some time, but I’ve learned to number my days.  Moreover, I’ve realized that my days are numbered.  Only the Lord knows how many I have left. 
 
If you watched any news this week you probably heard about the duck boat tour in Missouri that was overcome by a storm resulting in the deaths of seventeen people ranging from one to seventy-six years of age. You may also have heard about a grocery store shooting in Canada that resulted in two dead and thirteen injured.  There has been flooding in Pennsylvania that has resulted in two deaths, and three active wildfires in California that have killed two people.  Currently, life expectancy in the United States is 78.6years, or 28,708.65 days, if we are numbering our days.  There is no guarantee that we will live that many days.  Many people do not live to reach the age of 78.6 years.
 
Psalm 90:12 NIV states, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  The English Standard translation is, “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”  The Contemporary English Version translates this verse as, “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”  We don’t know how much time we have.  Every day we live could be our last.  Every moment could be our last.  How can we reconcile this unknown? 
 
Be prepared

• Be sure those you love, know that you love them.  Don’t be shy about saying, “I love you,” and certainly don’t be shy about showing love.

 

• Be sure your life insurance policy is active and up-to-date.  Everyone has final expenses, don’t leave that burden for those you love.

 

• Put your final wishes in writing.  This can be a difficult conversation to have, and with all of the involved emotions, something could be forgotten.  Put it in writing and tell your loved ones where it is located.  

 
Don’t Worry

• Things happen everyday.  It is the media’s job to report those occurrences to the public.  We must try not to allow all of those disturbing things to cause us fear.  Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:34 NIV)  Rather than fear, we should heed what we hear and be mindful of our actions.  A news story this week was about someone who was assaulted at an ATM, later they gave some tips about how to be safe at the ATM.  It is wise to heed those tips, but to fear the ATM or decide never to use an ATM is excess. “One who is wise is cautious and turns away from evil, but a fool is reckless and careless.”  (Proverbs 14:16 NIV)

 
Quit Procrastinating

• It’s funny to say, “why do today, what I could do tomorrow,” but tomorrow is not promised.  If it’s important, do it today.  Whether it’s an outing you’ve considered with the family or remembering to put a Thinking of You card in the mail, do it today.

 

• If you’ve been putting off talking with someone you love about their salvation, do it now.

 

• If you haven’t decided to put your faith in God, do that now!  Quit thinking that being a good  person will earn you a place in Heaven—it won't.  John 3:16 NIV tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  In order to see Heaven, you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, whose blood has washed away your sins. 

    

​Each translation of Psalm 90:12 uses the word wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”  (James 1:5 NIV)  We receive wisdom from the Lord.  We may gain knowledge from our textbooks, and from the news, our through our experiences, but true wisdom is from the Lord.  As we number our days, we must turn to God putting our faith and our trust in Him.  We must study God’s Word to know His plans for our lives.


Thank you for reading!
Yours, in Christ!
Kim
 
 
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