Scripture Reference: – Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”
An abundance of God’s grace to all of my friends as we start 2024. Let me share a few things on my mind as we take another look at the only Psalm authored by Moses.
As I’m quickly approaching seventy, I find myself appreciating every day that God has given me. In the days leading up to my heart surgery, I’ve had plenty of time to consider my overall health and the frailty of life. As I rest in the sovereignty and providence of God, I also recognize that I have a responsibility to do my best to take care of this body to which I’ve been entrusted. This was on my mind yesterday morning as Cynthia and I went in early morning for my heart surgery.
I have to admit that the whole procedure really gave me a lot of time to reflect. Cynthia told me later that even though we both have been told that they do countless procedures like what I went through yesterday, she still had the concern that a loving wife would feel. I don’t know what I’d do without her, and I know she feels the same.
Truthfully, I was more uncomfortable with all the pre-op procedures than anything else; that and not being able to go home right away. Because of my ongoing current condition, (Central Pain Syndrome), I’ve always said that I don’t do well with anything on top of how I already feel around the clock. In recent months, I failed a nuclear stress test that revealed that I had heart blockage. The most painful part was the new feeling of an artery stick and the pain of some kind of dye they shot into me. After that, along with the sedatives, I don’t remember much. About 45 minutes in, I do remember looking over at an attendant and asking him if he had started yet. He looked at me and said, “It’s already done.”
I had been saying prayers and quoting scriptures during the procedure. Afterwards, he got on the phone with Cynthia and explained that the main blockage was on one side of the heart, where he placed a stent. The good news was that even though there was some blockage on the other side, my heart was in good enough shape that it compensated for the blockage and the blood flow was able to make it’s around to the other side without another stent.
The coolest part of the whole procedure was seeing two full size photos of my heart, before and after the procedure. On one side you could clearly see the blockage where the blood flow was restricted. The other photo showed my heart afterwards, and you could also clearly see the blood moving smoothing through the arteries. I was overjoyed that it was over, just not so happy that they made me stay all the way until evening before allowing me to go home.
My daily reading of “Morning & Evening”, Spurgeon’s classic daily devotional, found me reading a verse from Moses’ Psalm 90, focusing on verse 12. How appropriate as all day I had been focusing on how I need to cherish every day God has given me to the fullest. In tonight’s devotional I want us to look a little closer about Moses’ great counsel to us in verse 12.
As we examine Psalm 90:12, we need to remember that Moses is telling us more than to simply number our days. It's more about what we do with each of those numbered days that God has given us. Moses is challenging us to realize that our days are few AND to use our time wisely. Many put off the most important things in life because they can do it tomorrow. But one day, there won't be a tomorrow.
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. I know we don’t like to think about it, but life is short. One day our lives here on this earth will end. Psalm 90:12 is a challenge to not just number our days but use them purposefully.
This is a verse that I’m convinced if we meditated on and applied it, our approach to life would drastically change. It’s a powerful verse that every Christian should know.
The Context Of Psalm 90:12
The book of Psalms is a book of poems, songs, and prayers that’s divided into five separate books written by several different authors. Psalm 90 was written by Moses and is one of the oldest Psalms.
Many scholars consider Psalm 90 to be a prayer of Moses. And it appears to be motivated by Israel’s 40 years of wandering in the desert. He uses this prayer to reflect on the timelessness of God and the brevity of man. (Psalm 90:1-4)
God is not restricted by time; 1,000 years is but a day to the Lord. But because of our sin, we have received God’s judgment for our actions (Psalm 90:5-8).
But all is not hopeless. God has sought to forgive and restore. Day after day, during the exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel witnessed first hand the longsuffering and mercy of God. And while we all face death, there’s still a blessing in this life. This leads to “Teach us to number our days” in Psalm 90:12.
The Meaning Of Psalm 90:12
To help us better understand Psalm 90:12 for us today, we are going to break this verse down into two sections.
Teach Us To Number Our Days
Because of our sin we will all face death. Many live in denial, they spend their 70-80 years pretending it won’t end. But it will, the reality is our days are numbered.
Moses here is pondering this reality, and what it will be like to stand before God and be held accountable for what we’ve done in this life. He’s facing this reality head-on; one day we will all die.
But Psalm 90:12 isn’t just about understanding this reality. It’s more about what we do with our numbered days. Moses is challenging us to realize that our days are few AND to use our time wisely.
Many put off the most important things in life because they can do it tomorrow. But one day, there won’t BE a tomorrow. Rather than waiting, we should start using our time wisely and listening to what God says is best.
We should number our days so that we can see that our time is coming to an end. This will help us use our time to its fullest.
That We May Gain A Heart Of Wisdom
While the “teach us to number our days” is the part of this verse we tend to focus on, the point of Moses’ text really is about gaining a heart of wisdom.
Wisdom is numbering our days and living with sensibility and within God’s purpose. Each day is valuable and a gift that God has entrusted us with. Therefore, we should use our days in God-honoring ways.
If we do this we will grow in wisdom and prioritize what’s most important in our life.
How To Apply Psalm 90:12 To Your Life
So how can we actually live this out? I want to end by giving you 3 practical ways we can apply Psalm 90:12 to our lives.
1. Seek God Daily
Each day you have is a gift from God. Followers of Jesus should seek God’s wisdom on how to best live throughout the day.
So what does this mean? Prayer, mediation, studying God’s Word, journaling, getting out in nature, and simply reflecting on your day are all great ways to seek God. Each of us are created to connect differently, and we should find ways we can do so with God each day.
Remember the first part of the verse says, “Teach us to number our days.” When we seek God he will do just that.
2. Keep The End In Mind
I know we don’t like thinking about it, but one day our life on this earth will end. While that’s a sobering thought, it’s also reality. And if we keep that end in mind it can give a greater sense of purpose and urgency to what we need to do today.
We shouldn’t put off what we need to do and what God is calling us to do. When we keep the end in mind that will help us see that our days are numbered.
Followers of Jesus should also not lose sight that death is not the end, rather the beginning. Keeping the end in mind means that we focus on the promise we have of eternity with our Creator. That should bring hope and encouragement to keep going.
3. Prioritize What’s Most Important
We tend to prioritize what’s most urgent or pressing in our lives. But that mindset leads us to do not what’s most important, but what’s in front of us. As a result, we often miss out on what’s most important.
We need to flip the approach. What’s most important should take first precedence in our lives. Connecting with God, providing for our families, being a faithful witness and serving those around us, should be at the top of our list. God has entrusted us with these, and other things, and we need to manage them well. Every believer must recognize that God has given every believer “the ministry of reconciliation” meaning that our responsibility is to serve as God’s Ambassadors.
What is it at the end of your life that you want to be known for? A loving parent, a caring friend, a follower of Jesus, a generous person, or someone that just worked hard every day. What is it? However you answer that question you need to make sure you prioritize those things above the lesser things in your life.
We are to be a people of excellence. Scripture says that whatever our hand finds to do, we should do it with all our heart, soul and mind.
That’s not to say that your daily work and many other things in your life are not important. I’m only saying that they may not be the most important. The most important comes first.
Final Thought
One More Time: Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” The request “Teach us to number our days” means that we need God to reveal to us the brevity of life. That revelation will help us grow wise, and wisdom is important because the choices we make during our brief stay on earth have eternal consequences. The remainder of Psalm 90 gives details about God’s wrath against sin and about the meaning of life. Our earthly lives will not last long, and we need wisdom to prepare for what follows.
Psalm 90 was penned by Moses, a man with whom the Lord spoke “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11; see also Numbers 12:7-8). Yet Moses wrote about the fierce anger of God against sin. He pleaded with the Lord to help humankind realize that we will all answer to God for deeds done in the body (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10). In Psalm 90:11, Moses writes, “If only we knew the power of your anger!” Moses was a man who knew God better than most mortals, yet he had experienced the sting of God’s punishment for his sin and yearned to help others avoid it (Numbers 20:12).
Jesus gave a parable that also explains what happens when we don’t “number our days.” In Luke 12:19–21 He describes a rich man who wanted only to “eat, drink, and be merry” and had no time or thought for God. The rich man believed he had years yet to enjoy his pleasures, but God required his soul that very night. If the rich man had learned to “number his days,” he would have pursued ventures that had eternal significance. We can learn from this parable that none of us know how many days we will be granted, so we must not waste them on silly, selfish pursuits that have no real value.
God’s desire for human beings is that we learn, grow, and seek wisdom (Proverbs 2). As we learn to number our days, we will share that desire. We were created to walk in fellowship with God, discovering the mysteries and delights He has scattered throughout creation. The Lord enjoys partnering with us as we pursue all He designed for us to accomplish (Psalm 37:23; Ephesians 2:10). When we live in harmony with Him, death is simply a change of address. Our enjoyment of Him continues unabated when we step from this life into eternity.
Those who have learned to number their days spend them in pursuit of wisdom, goodness, and the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). They don’t have to fear the wrath of God when their earthly lives are over. Jesus came to earth to make a way for us to be made right with God (2 Corinthians 5:21). But He won’t force His gift of eternal life on anyone (John 3:16–18).
Those who never learn to number their days spend them as if this life is all there is. Psalm 90 warns them about the judgment they are destined to undergo (Hebrews 9:27). But when we learn to number our days, we see each day as a valuable gift and an opportunity to store up treasure in heaven (Luke 12:33; Revelation 22:12).
In John 10:10 Jesus said he came that we could have the full life, the good life. He has something incredible for you. And I think the path to get there is found when we understand our days here are limited and we use them to seek him and follow him.
So, take this verse and reflect on it. Think about what it means for you to number your days and focus on what God is calling you to do. If you do, I’m convinced your life, though short, will be rich. Glory be to God!
From: Fight the Good Fight of Faith & Life Journal: By Gregg Harris
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