Wade McHargue, USA
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
Here in Psalm 90 we find the only psalm attributed to Moses, the man of God. It is glaringly apparent what Moses emphasizes in this psalm: the brevity of life. This is demonstrated through his description of our earthly lives as a watch in the night, like grass, and like a sigh.
In light of this truth, the application is made in verse 12. It’s a prayer he prayed—and a prayer we should pray—that God would teach us to number our days. For what reason? In light of remembering the brevity of our lives, we will be less likely to squander our time and more apt to redeem the time and use it wisely. Paul said it this way in Ephesians 5: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (vv. 15–17).
In light of this I would exhort you in two ways. First, make Psalm 90:12 a personal prayer. I testify to you that I made this my prayer years ago, and I have been gripped (not in fear, but in a sobriety of spirit) about the brevity of my life. It has brought a wisdom to my heart, but also a prayer for Father to use me and make my time count for His glory.
I’ve been asked many times by different people, “How is it you’ve seen so much accomplished (for God’s glory) in such a relatively short time?” When I hear this, I know it is Father answering my prayer, this prayer of Psalm 90:12. Few in the Bible can compare with the intimacy in which Moses walked with the Almighty. So, make this your prayer for some days and pray it in faith knowing it is His will. He will truly answer.
The second application of this prayer of Moses is what Paul wrote in Ephesians, to “not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (5:17). This points us to where we know the will of God is, which of course is the Word. Our lives make sense in light of eternity, in the revelation of the brevity of our lives, when we actively seek His will by meditating and memorizing the Word of God.
This was the exhortation given to Joshua (Joshua 1:8–9) and to David (Psalm 1), and it is what Jesus declared would reveal who are truly His disciples (John 8:31). If we want to live wisely, we must make sure we are spending more time reading the Word than reading the news of this world.
As C.S. Lewis stated, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next.” We must remain wise and ready to give an account to Him as we make His Word our daily bread, our daily meditation.