Time #3 - Number our Days
| Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalms90:12) |
This is probably the oldest Psalm we have and it's the only one ascribed to Moses.
We think he wrote it during their 40 year wandering in the desert after the Israelites rejected the advice of Caleb and Joshua to trust God and enter the Promised Land.
The outcome of that rebellion was that the Israelites would wander the desert for 40 years so that the current generation would pass away and a new generation would enter Canaan. So Moses leads and guides for 40 years, attending many funerals of people who had died without reaching their destination.
Psalm 90 is a reflection on God's eternal nature and justice and humanity's temporariness.
At the heart of his Psalm is his prayer.
"Teach us to number our days aright: that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Notice that Moses isn't asking for more time.
He's asking that they will use their time well.
He doesn't pray for a longer life. He prays for a wiser one.
If he were writing in Greek maybe he would write: "While chronos ticks by help me to recognise the kairos.
This is so important.
Even when things are busy, we need to notice those moments where we need to appreciate beauty, have a significant relational interaction, reach out a helping hand, or hear God's voice.
We all get 24 hours and seven days a week.
We all have bills to pay, work to do, commutes to make, and to-do lists that tap their toes.
But Moses prays that we'll see eternity in the kairos moments that pop up in the relentless march of chronos and make good choices...
As I reflected on this passage in the sermon, five simple truths emerged that help us number our days wisely
1. I cannot do everything.
2. I cannot be everywhere.
3. I cannot say yes to every request.
4. I should make the right choices in the key moments
5. I mustn't postpone what truly matters forever.
Remember: It's not how much time we have, but how we use it.
