The Number of Our Days
Gordon Crook – Pastor , Grace Assembly, Wichita, Kansas
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalms 90:12. Not one of us knows the number of our days. What we do know is that our human lives are fragile and can be gone in an instant. This might sound a little depressing or morbid, but it is simply the truth about us.
The Psalmist knew this, and it made him realize that the short length of our life should cause us to seek diligently after true wisdom. Some of us are great procrastinators, but this is one area where we should not be. I remember as a very young person, thinking that when I got older, I would certainly seek after God and live for Him. That was definitely not the right approach. I’m not even a little disappointed that I started seeking God before I got old.
“LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.” Psalms 39:4-7
Throughout scripture we find that Jesus is wisdom, “But unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” 1 Corinthians 1:30. “In whom (Jesus) are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:3. This leads us very simply to realize that if we are to seek after wisdom, we need to study God’s Word as it is the only place we can come to know more about Jesus.
The Psalmist uses the phrase “apply our hearts unto wisdom.” The idea here is to fill that inner part of us that desires and needs that wisdom. A true desire to be filled with the wisdom of God which will lead us to study God’s Word. There seems to be an urgency in this verse. Is there an urgency for God’s Word in your life?
“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:1-6
Paul speaks to us a very similar statement. He reminds us that every day is important because, aside from the unknown length of our life, we must consider that Jesus will return, and it could be anytime. “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:15-17
Paul brings this thought to the practical reality of our life. Our “walk,” or the way in which we conduct our lives, is to be with wisdom. The verse speaks of walking “accurately” and with the context we realize that “accuracy” comes from knowing God’s Word. The wisdom is in understanding that the conduct of our life needs to be according to God’s will. There is no other way to know and understand God’s will than to study His Word. “For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;” Colossians 1:9.
Far too many people who claim the title of “Christian” are ignorant of God’s will and are walking in their own wisdom. Let us give heed to what Paul says and walk “accurately.”
God has a purpose for us here in this world, and something even more important for eternity. We should not waste our short time here pursuing our own path and our own wisdom, lest we waste the opportunity that is ours to walk in a way that is pleasing to God, and to run this race so as to win the prize which is Jesus Christ as our bridegroom. Nothing that we can pursue here has any value to compare.
The world has a lot of wisdom that is very enticing, but it is not real wisdom, and it will perish with this world. “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.” 1 Corinthians 3:19. Today is the day we have to seek after the wisdom of God. Do not procrastinate.
