On Numbering Our Days

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/AddDb)

“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”

Psalm 90:12

When we remember what day it is, we’ll always remember the importance of it and hopefully be moved to give thanks to the One Who gave it.

“So teach us to number our days.”

Although we don’t know when Moses prayed these words, we’re probably safe in surmising that it could have been in the latter years of his life.  He lived to be 120-years-old, yet “his eye was not dim nor his natural strength abated” when God called him home (Dt. 34:7).



Even so, his prayer—which was later included in Israel’s book of psalms or “soul songs”—is a most reflective one.  And, his words in today’s Manna, are indeed intriguing ones to be sure. . . for none of us know how long our lives will be here on earth; how, then, can we “number our days”?



Think about it:

If you live 20 years, you’ll have lived 7,305 days.  If you live 40 years, you’ll have lived 14,610 days.  If you live 60 years, it adds up to 21,915 days.  And, if “be reason of strength you live to fourscore years” (v.10), the total will be 29,220 days.



Yet, again, none of us know how many days we’ll be here; we can only count the number we’ve lived thus far.  And, trying to speculate on the total number of the days of our pilgrimage is foolish for “our lives are as a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away” (James 4:14)—and “none of us knows what a day will bring forth” (Prov. 27:1).



That’s why we should count “today” as the most important day in our life (other than the day we gave our hearts to the Lord Jesus and were born again).   The anonymous author of the Epistle to the Hebrews knew that and admonished his readers (and us) with these words:  “TODAY, if you will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts” (Heb. 3:7b-8a).  And, the Apostle Paul wrote, “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation” (II Cor. 6:2b).



Thus, could it be, that true wisdom is living today like it was our last day here on earth—but, in Christ, enjoying it like it would last forever?  If we lived each day that way. . .i.e., living in the “now”. . .“redeeming” each moment by investing it in eternity (Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5). . .and treating each person we meet like we’d treat Jesus Himself (Mt. 25:40). . .wouldn’t we, then, also be “applying our hearts unto wisdom” and ensuring that the Lord Jesus will be glorified in all we say and do?



Most assuredly we would.

Therefore, dear Pilgrim, do not discount today or spend all your time “just trying to get by.”  Life is to be lived, not endured.  Today is a gift from God; do not waste it.  Count today as the most important day of your life and live it to the Glory of God (I Cor. 10:31).  That way if your “number’s up today”—i.e., if the Lord should call you Home—you’ll have no regrets.  The Father will be pleased, others will be blessed and eternity will be sweet.  Thank You, Lord Jesus.

By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated June 30, 2010