“Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!” (Psalm 39:5–6 ESV).
David wrote this psalm to the Lord in a season of distress, reflecting on the frailty of human life. He confessed that God had measured his days as “a few handbreadths,” emphasizing how brief and fragile life was compared to God’s eternal nature. Before the everlasting God, even a full lifetime appeared as nothing more than a breath. David declared that humanity stood like a vapor and moved about like a shadow, visible for a moment, then gone. He observed how people busied themselves in turmoil, striving and accumulating wealth, yet remained uncertain who would ultimately possess it. Yet, even in his despair, David declared that his hope was in the Lord (v.7).
We feel the tension David felt. We measure our days by calendars, milestones, and accomplishments, yet Scripture reminds us that our lives are a breath. Even at our strongest and most secure moments, we are mere shadows passing through this life. When we heap up wealth or rush about anxiously, we are tempted to believe these things will anchor us. But they cannot.
Yet we are not left in despair. Jesus told us, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth… but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:19–20). Peter reminded believers that we have “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3–5). In Christ, our fleeting days are gathered into an eternal hope.
So, what is the measure of our days? It’s not their length, but their investment in eternity. When we treasure Christ above earthly gain, we lay up treasure in heaven.
PRAYER: Dear Father, teach us to number our days rightly. Guard us from trusting in shadows and chasing what will not last. Fix our hearts on the imperishable inheritance kept for us in heaven. Help us measure our days by faithfulness to Christ and investment in eternity. In Jesus’ name, amen.