DAYS AS HANDBREADTHS?

Scripture: Psalms 39:4 (NASB) - LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the extent of my days.  Let me know how transient I am.

Recently I read that “There are four things you cannot recover:  the stone after the throw, the word after it is said, the occasion after it is missed, and the time after it is gone.” That said, are you a person that consistently considers and values your time?  Can you think of anyone who is consistently mindful and respectful of life’s brevity?—revealing the same in how they live?  Time--it’s a most precious commodity, you know!  Once spent you cannot retrieve it or recycle it.  You can be purposeful or intentional in your use of it, or be dismissive about it, choosing consciously or subconsciously to be indifferent about how you’re spending it.  
   
I’m persuaded that our Lord desires that we: (1) appreciate and respect the brevity of our time on this earth.  “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” (Ps. 39:5) The Holy One who created time for humankind, being Himself transcendent, desires (2) that we avoid, as do so many, leaving Him out of our daily life’s equation, from our earliest youth.  He will certainly receive the soul who earnestly invites Jesus to be their Lord and Savior at any time before breathing their last; however, it’s always a more qualitatively rich life when one heeds the Spirit’s call to embrace His lordship in the days of one’s youth!  (Ecclesisastes 12:1) “Today, if you hear will hear His voice, do not harden your heart,” warns Psalm 95:7, 8. “At the acceptable time I listened to you…NOW is the acceptable time…NOW is the day of salvation.” ( 2 Corinthians 6:2).  
     
Finally, although much more can be stated about the premier value that our Lord places on our use of time, we must HEED His command to “…. walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil…”  (Ephes. 5:15, 16) We can certainly observe this truth with ever-increasing intensity these days, can’t we?  

Prayer:  Father God, thank You for helping us to renew and re- align our life perspectives with Your own, such that we value what You value, using the fleeting hours of this temporal life to pursue what is of utmost importance to Your heart. We shall one day give You an account of our time stewardship.  Amen!

(by Denise Diggs)