Numbering Your Days

The Bible warns that life is short. In fact, just “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). In the middle of individual moments, everything can seem monumental. But as we look back, we remember things differently. The details become more fuzzy. The problems seem less overwhelming.

In Psalm 90, Moses reminded us our lives can “fly away.” Many people use this brevity as a reason to indulge in short-term pleasures. But the Bible challenges us to take a different approach. To “number” our days. This indicates that we are to think about our lives.

We are to realize that each day is special, with unique challenges and opportunities. And we need to realize that God holds us accountable for what we do each day. As we look back, Moses wrote that we should hope that we present to God “a heart of wisdom.” This means that we have made wise choices. We have committed our ways to Him and sought to be guided by His wisdom.

We also are to seek to have His perspective on our lives. How easily we can focus on ourselves and our plans, and forget how fragile we are, and, in reality, how little we control. As James said, we don’t really “know what will happen tomorrow.” While numbering our days, and being good stewards, we “ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15).

As you begin this new year, ask God to help you number your days. Make this year count for His Kingdom.