The brevity of life

Scripture:  Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to realise the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom”

 

Observation:  This psalm is written by Moses – in fact, it is “A prayer of Moses , the man of God “, whose life was far from brief – he lived to the ripe old age of 120, and the Bible tells us that “his eyesight was clear and he was as strong as ever”  when he died (Deut 34:7).  So why would he include such a line in a prayer?  I think it’s because he saw much death in his time.  He saw much waste of life in his time.  And when lives were cut short, it gave him a fresh appreciation that we must use every available opportunity to live our lives well, for none of us knows when our time on this earth will be ended.  And we can only live our lives well if we live them wisely.  “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom.  All who obey His commandments will grow in wisdom” (Psalm 111:10)   Each one of us has an influence over others – whether we recognise it or not!   When we live our lives wisely, that influence will be a positive one.  When we don’t, it won’t!!  So for Moses, the man of God, the realisation of the brevity of life was to be a catalyst for growing closer to the Lord & His ways, and therefore growing in wisdom.

 

Application:   At this time when we are facing the ongoing tragedy of the worst natural disaster our nation has ever seen in the “Black Saturday” fires, when  not only property has gone, but lives have been so unexpectedly cut short, it makes me “realise the brevity of life”.    How must I respond?  By drawing closer to my Lord.  By growing in His wisdom, that my life might be an influence for Him to others, no matter how long or short my time on this earth.  My days are in His hands – my responsibility is to “grow in wisdom”.

 

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father,  thankyou that my days are in Your hands – what safer place could they be!! I want my days to be fruitful for You, for life on this earth is both brief & precious.  I don’t want to waste any of it!!  I surrender myself afresh to grow in Your wisdom that my influence might be what you would have it to be!!

 

In Jesus’ name  Amen

 

Sue Otto