Mission Venture Ministries

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) 

When Moses considered the frail nature of humanity and the righteous judgment of God, it made him ask God for the wisdom to understand the brevity of life. This is a reality check reminding us of the frailty and brevity of life, as well as the holiness of God and our need of Him. 

The request “teach us to number our days” means that we need God to reveal and make us understand the seriousness of our brevity of life on this earth. This revelation will help us to grow wise and gives us wisdom in the eternal choices we make during our brief stay on earth. Therefore, let us heed to what the Word teaches us, “Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (Proverbs 4:7). 

Jesus told a parable in Luke 12:19-21 where He describes a rich man who wanted only to “eat, drink, and be merry.” The rich man believed he had years yet to enjoy his wealth and pleasures, and had no time for God but God had something else in mind and took his soul that very night. If the rich man had learned to “number his days,” he would have had his mind on the eternal and not worldly pleasure and possessions. None of us know how many days we have been granted, so we must take heed from this parable and not waste our time or resources on silly, selfish pursuits that have no eternal value. 

Those who have learned to number their days spend them in pursuit of wisdom and the kingdom of God. Therefore, “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). These wise believers don’t have to fear the wrath of God when their earthly lives have come to the end. 

We need to understand that Jesus came to earth to reconciles us with the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21). But He doesn’t force His gift of eternal life on anyone (John 3:16-18). Those who never learn to number their days spend them as if this life is all there is. Psalm 90 warns them about the judgment they are destined to undergo and Hebrews 9:27 affirms that we are destined to die once and then comes the judgment. But when we learn to number our days, we see each day as a valuable gift and an opportunity to store up treasures in heaven (Luke 12:33). 

Human life is short and frail, and no one is guaranteed tomorrow. “You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning – though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered” (Psalm 90:5–6). For some, this life will last only a few years. For others, it will last many decades. But for all, there will be a day when it ends.

Even though this is a subject that many dislike thinking about, we need to be aware of death’s inevitability, and must discipline ourselves to consider just how short our lives really are. Moses said, “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). And David laments the human condition when he prays: “For we are here for but a moment, strangers in the land as our fathers were before us; our days on earth are like a shadow, gone so soon, without a trace” (1 Chronicles 29:15).

We should not only consider how short our life is in comparison to eternity, but also how much of our time has already elapsed and reflect on what we have done with the time God had given to us, as well as the talents, gifts, and opportunities bestowed upon us.

The question is – are we going to make up for lost time using our talents, blessing others with our gifts, and making the most of every opportunity God gives us?

With such thoughts fixed firmly in our minds, we must not allow ourselves to waste a moment and start focusing on what is really important. We need to be prepared and keep your lamps burning. What will happen if Christ returns, and we are not prepared? What if death comes before we are ready?

Such considerations are meant to drive us to quick repentance and to motivate a deep longing for godliness because, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:40). So, are you ready?

Please understand that this earthly life is a race against time. So until our time arrives to leave this world, our great desire should be to grow in conformity to Christ, to the greatest extent possible – in the short time available to all of us. 

When we make the Lord first in our lives and He becomes our priority, then He will order our steps, and everything else will take place in the proper order as we keep eternal values in mind. 

What impact are we making within our relationships and for the kingdom of God? What are our priorities? What are we doing with the life we’ve been given? Where will you spend eternity? These are important questions to ask, as David wrote, “You have given me only a short life. My lifetime is like nothing to You. Everyone’s life is only a breath” (Psalm 39:5). And in James 4:14 we read: “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” 

Our main concern about life should not be how long we live, but how well we live it for the Lord, and this should cause us to have a great dependence on God. Therefore, don’t be so busy with yourself and your own desires that you neglect to live a life for Christ. 

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