Devotion - Teach us to number our days

Psalms 90: 10-12 Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. If only we knew the power of your anger! Your wrath is as great as the fear that is your due. Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

This psalm of Moses offers great insights into the value of time. Moses lived to a ripe old age of 120 years. While penning this psalm he probably was reminiscing his own life. The first 40 years spent in the palace, the second 40 years in the desert and the last 40 years in God's intended purpose. He accomplished more in the last 40 years of his life, as far as God's purposes was concerned, than the 80 years in the palace and the desert put together. Could he have accomplished even more had he "numbered his days much earlier in life and "gained a heart of wisdom". What does it mean to number our days?

In Deut 32:29 - Moses says - If only they (Israel) were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!

I think what Moses is saying is that one should be aware that our lives on this earth is extremely short. Not just mere awareness but an intense realization with an intent to take action. When we come with such desperation before God, then the Lord gives us a heart of wisdom to discern our end, our purpose and His plans for our lives. This serious realization of the fleeting moments of time and the conscious desire to maximize every opportunity, will open the window to gain God's wisdom to discern His purposes and thereby chart the career path. It will involve counting the cost, weighing the options as far as career is concerned and making the necessary sacrifices. The end may not all be glamorous as far as the world is concerned but we will end up just like Moses, Deut 34:5 - And Moses the servant of the LORD died.... What an honor to die with this title.. servant of the Lord. It surpasses all the degrees and titles that the world may bestow and the only title that matters in eternity.

The following principles stark at us as we read this psalm:

• Time is short. Our days may come to seventy years. His assessment is that an average man may live up to 70 - 80 years of age. And because of the short span of time, every second counts. Time cannot be saved, only invested or wasted.
  

• Time can be wasted. Yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow. The best time of life is can be wasted in unnecessary things, in Moses case in the palace and in the desert. Granted that it was the time of preparation for Moses but had he realized his role in the kingdom earlier, much could have been achieved. Oh how we waste precious valuable time with good but unnecessary things in life.
  

• God is serious about time and our lives. If only we knew the power of our anger. Its the same reaction of a responsible parent who sees his child idling when his exams are approaching. He will scream, get angry and do all he can to get his child to mug his books. God gets terribly upset when His children fail to recognize the times and seasons. Luke 12:56, Jesus said to the crowd - You hypocrites! You can forecast the weather by judging the appearance of earth and sky. But for some reason you don't know how to judge the time in which you're living. I think God is at times troubled when he sees his kids idling with their most precious commodity, TIME.
  

• Take time seriously. Teach me to number my days. We must realize that we are accountable for the way we manage our time. A few questions may be necessary to ponder over to manage time better?

1. Do I need to sleep so long?
2. Do I need to spend so much time before the TV?
3. Do I need to engage in so many telephone conversations?
   
4. Do I need to spend so much time with friends on a social outing?
   
5. Do I need to spend so much time before the computer?
   
6. Am I on the right tract in life as far as my education and career is concerned?
   
7. Can the time be utilized better with activities that is His Kingdom oriented.
   

I am not saying NO to the above, but evaluate the real need for the excesses.

Eph5:16 - Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.