LET US LEARN TO NUMBER OUR DAYS
When one is young, the thought of dying never enters one’s head. That is why so many young people and young adults often seem to take so many risks, because “nothing will happen to me” is typical of that age’s mindset.
When the aging process begins it is usually very easy to handle, but slowly you become more aware that your body is wearing out, and there are often numerous aches and pains, and because of modern surgery for example, knee replacements and hip replacements become the order of the day.
For sometime now in my daily Quiet Time, I am specifically thanking God for the breath I breathe, many thank God daily that He woke them to face a new day, I am going to start doing this too.
There are a number of humorous lists that have been written about YOU KNOW YOU ARE GETTING OLD WHEN: Here is some often quoted statements.
You go out to paint the town red, but come home at 9pm after you have put on the first coat of paint.
Your back goes out more often than you do.
The one I want to highlight today is:
YOU ARE REGULARLY ACTING AS A PALL BEARER AT A FRIEND’S FUNERAL.
I am mentioning this one as I am almost experiencing a flood of friends, past church members ,and past students, who have been “promoted to glory” recently or have been given just days or weeks or months to live because they have been diagnosed with cancer, and it is taking its toll on their body.
Did you know that Moses is recognised as writing a Psalm, it is Psalm 90, and the verse that has been quickened to me is verse 12 NKJV So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
The NLT says Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may gain wisdom.
The PASSION Translation says: Help us to remember that our days are numbered,
and help us to interpret our lives correctly.
The MESSAGE Bible says: Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well.
I have listed these various translations to give us a broad appreciation of the truth Moses is declaring.
I guess almost without exception every Believer has regrets because of things said and done in the past, we sure can’t change the past, but we can and must learn from them.
The NLT reminds us that sometimes life is shorter than we planned, and we need to make sure our “house in in order”, and that we must learn to live in the light of eternity, whether that is Jesus breaking through the clouds, or He deciding to take us home.
My heart is very sad today as I think about these dear people, many who have really meant a lot to me over the years, I will miss them, but I also must rejoice because they have heard or will hear very soon WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT.
Paul tells us in Rom 8:28 NKJV And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Our God is not surprised about any of these Saints going home, He is Omniscient (all seeing and all knowing) and His ways are perfect, and I am going to let these sad situations cause me to “number my days” and re-affirm His Lordship over my life, and that with the Lord’s help be the man, the husband, the ministry He has called to be. Physically, there is much I cannot do, but there is much I can and by His grace will do, and will continue to be busy and seeking to fulfil the purposes of God in my life amen.
