“Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14 ESV). In Psalm 90, Moses contrasts the eternal nature of God with the frailty and brevity of human life. In verse 14, he pleads for what our souls most desperately need—God’s steadfast love (Hebrew:
Chapter: 90
DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE!
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV). Psalm 90 bears the superscription, “A Prayer of Moses, the man of God.” It encourages the reader to be aware of the fleeting nature of life and to be determined not to waste it. This is not
DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE!
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NLT). Have you ever heard of the “Urgent-Important Matrix?” It is a time management system made popular by Stephen Covey’s book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” The matrix teaches that every task can be placed in
“Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts” (Psalm 90:12 HCSB).
DON’T WASTE YOUR LIFE! Have you ever heard of the “Urgent-Important Matrix?” It is a time management system made popular by Stephen Covey’s book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.” The matrix teaches that every task can be placed in one of four possible quadrants: Q1) Urgent and important, Q2) Important, not urgent, Q3)
Dust in the Wind
This week, we are inspired by the song, “Dust in the Wind,” by Kansas.
Do you ever feel the way these lyrics suggest, like dust in the wind? Like nothing lasts? Even those of us who had never thought about the brevity of life, had to have given it some serious thought this past year. 2020 – the year of COVID 19. The year when half a million Americans died from a worldwide pandemic. But COVID only brought into view that which has always been true–– we are mere mortals. We long to live forever, to live with some kind of purpose, to leave a lasting legacy, but we are like “dust in the wind.”
In Psalm 90, Moses prayed that God would teach His people to wisely spend their days living for Him. We can see how God teaches us to wisely spend our days living for Him.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV)
This Mosaic psalm encourages us to be aware of the fleeting nature of life and to determine not to waste our days. This is not a morbid instruction, but one that faces reality. We have a finite number of days appointed unto us. Number them, be aware that each day is a gift from God and a holy stewardship. The promise of eternal life should not release us to waste this season, but should pull us toward investing every moment we have for God, so that we store up riches in heaven.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NKJV)
Understanding that our days are numbered can motivate us to live life with a sense of urgent importance. “Urgent,” because putting off till tomorrow means eventually running out of tomorrows. If the Lord has put it on your heart, then do it now! And “important,” because we often fill our days with unimportant things. Prayerfully consider what is most important, then focus on those things every day. This is not a morbid state of mind, being aware of your limited days. This is wisdom, not wasting the time God has given you on planet earth. Don’t waste your life!
“Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12)
This psalm, attributed to Moses, encourages us to be aware of the fleeting nature of life and to determine not to waste our days. This is not a morbid instruction, but one that faces reality. We have a finite number of days appointed unto us on planet Earth. Number them, be aware that each day is a gift from God and a holy stewardship. The promise of eternal life should not release us to waste this season, but should pull us toward investing every moment we have for God, so that we store up riches in heaven.
“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 ESV)
Understanding that our days are numbered can motivate us to live life with a sense of urgent importance. ‘Urgent’ – because putting off till tomorrow means eventually running out of tomorrows. If the Lord has put it on your heart, then do it now! And ‘important’ – because we often fill our days with unimportant things. Prayerfully consider what is most important, then focus on those things every day. This is not a morbid state of mind, being aware of your limited days. This is wisdom, not wasting the time God has given you on planet earth. Don’t waste your life!
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalms 90:12)
Understanding that life is short, we live with a sense of urgency and purpose, not wasting the day because night is coming soon. We also strip away the things that don’t matter and focus on the eternal things that last. Such is the life of wisdom, of one who lives knowing that tomorrow is not promised.