PASTOR’S CORNER, Jeremy Harris, First Southern Baptist Church, Liberal
Time is a challenging thing isn’t it? When we are young it can’t pass quickly enough because we want to be older and do older things. When we are older we wish things could slow down and we pine for the days of our youth when we had fewer responsibilities and life did not demand as much from us.
When we near the end of our lives, we often do everything in our power to prolong our lives as much as possible.
4 “Lord, make me aware of my end
and the number of my days
so that I will know how short-lived I am.
5 In fact, you have made my days just inches long,
and my life span is as nothing to you.
Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah
6 Yes, a person goes about like a mere shadow.
Indeed, they rush around in vain,
gathering possessions
without knowing who will get them. ~Psalm 39:4-6
As difficult as it is to be content with the season of life we find ourselves in, this is not unique to our era. King David in Psalm 39 asked God to help him be aware of that he was going to die one day. Why? Because if we spend all of our time wishing our days away or wishing we could go back, we will miss the amazing opportunities right in front of us. We will also fail to give each day the weightiness it deserves.
King David recognized that there is a futility in chasing after the things of this world. We can chase the things the world tells us will fulfill us, but at the end of our lives, we all have to realize that nothing we’ve gathered gets to come with us. This might feel a bit depressing. If we are just going to die and leave all our stuff behind, where should we look for fulfillment? David tells us in verse 7.
7 “Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you. ~ Psalm 39:7
Lord, teach us to number our days. Help us to recognize that the things of this earth are passing away just like we are. Help us to place all of our hope in You and You alone. Help us to see each day as an opportunity to love others and point them towards You!
