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So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 90:12 (KJV)
Our key verse is one of the oldest Psalms ever written. This Psalm was penned by Moses over 1400 years before the birth of Jesus.
When we read the narrative of his story, we don’t see the moments of time ticking quickly away. All we can see are timeless Bible stories.
Teach us to count our days…
Broken up that way, it’s easy to misperceive Moses’ life span as being much longer than it was. Moses did live to be 120 years old, which in comparison to our typical life span now, is a long time. But he had the number of moments and days that God planned. And so do we. The important thing is what we do with the time we have. Let’s take a quick survey of Moses’ life.
- Moses was an infant, kept safely in a basket of reeds and watched over by God.
- Moses was a forty-year-old fugitive running in the dessert.
- He was an eighty-year-old man with stage fright
- He stood before an unconsumed burning bush as he received his commission from God.
- Moses fought the enemies of God
- He freed the people of God
- He transcribed the law of God
- Moses saw the miracles of God.
- God loved Moses and called Him a friend. (Exodus 33:11)
- Moses loved God.
- He believed God
- He saw many of the promises of God fulfilled though He never entered the promised land.
Then, Moses died at 120 years old.
Many more God-orchestrated events happened throughout Moses’ lifetime. You should read about them in God’s Story.
Take a look at his life and ask yourself, what one thing from that list would you turn away from to do your own thing? Would you skip building the Ark of the Covenant? Would you forego having the experience of the Shekinah Glory of God? Would you still cross the Red Sea? Would you tell God to find someone else to be responsible for the Ten Commandments?
Moses was not allowed to enter Canaan because he dishonored God in front of the people of Israel. Do you remember the story of Moses at Meribah? This was the moment that cost him entry into Canaan. Numbers 20.
Oh, who will come and go with me I am bound for the Promised Land1
When we choose to disobey God or live life on our own terms, then it has an impact on our testimony and on the privilege of being useful. Most sadly, it dishonors our Savior in front of the lost people who disdain Him, but who need Him for salvation. That is why it is so important to make the most of every moment God gives you.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” –
Colossians 3:2 (WEB)
But death does not wipe out the fragrance that our lives leave on earth for Jesus. Moses’ life certainly left a testimony of God’s faithfulness in his life. Yours and mine can, too.
A sweet aroma for God
Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. For we are a sweet aroma of Christ to God, in those who are saved and in those who perish: to the one a stench from death to death, to the other a sweet aroma from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (WEB)
My sorrow is that in my hardheaded persistence to do things my way has cost me precious days and moments of wholly serving the Savior that I love. But hopefully, no more.
At fifty-seven years old, my God, in His most tender mercy, got my attention. And now He has reminded me to stop dwelling on the failures of the past. Every moment spent wondering about what might have been, or grieving over sin and loss is more time subtracted from the remaining time God has planned for me to serve Him.
So, what about you? Are you serving the King with all of your heart? Even if you have what the world considers a menial job, are you giving it to God? If you are blessed with great wealth, are you serving the Master? If you are sick or encumbered in any way, are you singing God’s praises and praying for the lost?
What are all of God’s people doing with their moments and days? It goes by so fast.
Don’t waste a single moment in regret. God puts our sin out of His memory. God ordered our days. Take a look at His great love for you!
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Like a father has compassion on his children,
so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He knows how we are made.
He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass.
As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.
For the wind passes over it, and it is gone.
Its place remembers it no more.
Psalm 103:11-16 (WEB)
“THE WIND PASSES OVER IT AND IT IS GONE”
Below are some passages for study about walking in step with God. He has all of your days numbered. He loves you. Honor Him with your moments and days.
Psalm 31:15 – Joshua 14:7-9 – Colossians 4:5-6 – James 4:15-17 – Ephesians 5:15-17 – Romans 13:11-14 – 1 John 2:17
Proverbs 27:1
Share the Good News in your world!
Isaiah 52:7
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
- On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand
Samuel Stennett
Ca. 1787 ↩︎
