Teach Us To Number Our Days

"Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts."     ~Psalm 90:12 CSB

Can you believe it is already May?  Every year seems to go by faster and doesn't look to slow down anytime soon.  The Psalmist realized this thousands of years ago.  He says, "All of our years ebb away—they pass quickly and we fly away" (Psalm 90:9-10).  This thought causes the Psalmist to ask God to "teach us to number our days carefully".  Have you ever thought about counting your days?   Another way to see this would be to ask God to help us understand our days here on earth are short and help us not to waste them. 

One of the things I have encountered in my life as a pastor is the reality we are all going to die.  Not one of us makes it out of here alive.  Another thing I have learned none of us like to think about death and many of us carry on like death doesn't exist.  But all that changes when someone close to us dies.  But death is a part of life and I think it's true we should live like we are dying.  When someone knows they are going to die, spending time with loved ones is more important that working or being entertained.  Life takes on a new importance—there is an urgency to make the most of the time you have. 

I believe that is the point the Psalmist is making, live your life with urgency—making the most of everyday.  In doing so we will develop wisdom in our hearts because our focus will be on others and especially our Lord as we prepare to be with him.  As the years go by I have realized this reality and it has changed the way I view the world around me.  Everything here is temporary and we are being prepared for eternity.  The beauty of this reality is God doesn't let us get too comfortable here and reminds us with a body that is slowly giving out.  My eyes don't quite work the way they use too.  I can't hear, my joints hurt, I can feel my body changing everyday. 

The apostle Paul realized this also when he wrote "Therefore we do not give up.  Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day." (2 Corinthians 4:16) I want to challenge you to think about this and to pray for God to help you to number your days.  I pray you will live with a new sense of urgency and focus on what is really important, loving God and loving others.  Seek to take time for your family and friends and most of all make the most of the time you have to be kingdom builders—knowing Christ and making Christ known.  On my office door at the church is this saying, "Only one life twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last".  Pray for God to help you count your days!  

Foolish Cross

"For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved" (1 Corinthians 1:18 CSB)

I have had many conversation with people who hear the message of the cross and dismiss it immediately.  To them the idea of needing to be rescued from themselves and from sin seems silly.  Even the idea of God sending his Son to die on the cross seems crazy, especially to die for a stranger.  It’s easier for them to dismiss the whole story as a fairy tale--made up to appease people than to admit their need.  The cross is foolishness to them.  The sad reality such people have been blinded to the gospel, they cannot see the glory of Christ for their minds have been blinded. (2 Cor. 4:4) They are being kept from seeing truth, they are blind and cannot see. 

As a result of their blindness they are perishing, the “wages of sin is death”.   (Rom. 6:23) Those who are in the bondage to sin are blinded by the effects of sin.  They are blind slaves to the desires of their heart and the ways of the world.  The reason the cross is the power of God to those who are being saved is because God has shined a light into the darkness of their hearts and has shone the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.  (2 Cor. 4:6) The veil has been lifted from our hearts and they can now see and understand their need for the cross.  They can see their sinfulness and can see their need for a savior. 

They also realize they’re powerless to save themselves and need to be rescued. The person on the roof of his house during a flood doesn’t need to be reminded of the rising water, he needs to be rescued. He will forever be thankful for the power of the pilot and crew who were able to pull him from flood.  The one being saved understands his need for salvation and recognizes the one who does the saving.  This morning give thanks for the cross and its ability to save you through Jesus Christ, who gave his life so that you could have life.