How Fleeting I Am

“O Lord, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
    and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! 
    Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
    man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
    My hope is in you…
For I am a sojourner with you,
    a guest, like all my fathers.” Psalm 39:4-7,12b

“By the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,  making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

David was acutely aware of his flesh, its folly and weaknesses as well as its limitations and certain end. His prayer life recorded in the Psalms echoes his constant dependence on the Lord for perspective all the days of his earthly sojourn. The breaths that composed his breadth of lifespan were numbered, and he wanted them to count. (Psalm 39:1-3,8)

We must see our time on earth in the context of eternity in heaven: we are guest travelers here bound for a promised forever there. All we’ve been entrusted with for now- health and wealth and opportunities- is limited, guaranteed depleted at God’s appointed time. Each person, allotted a number of days by the Creator, is accountable to Him for his investment and expenditure. (Psalm 139:16; Proverbs 23:4-5)

Do we take seriously the reality of limits and limited commodities? How do we adjust dreams and plans in light of God’s accounting? What lessons has the Lord taught from times of drought, and success? What are we investing, by seeking God in His word, Christian community, and service, to gain a heart of wisdom? How will we spend that heart for Jesus’s sake?

Life is fleeting. Will we flaunt it, or fully invest in the One who entrusted it to us? We can spend ourselves doing what will not last, or offer ourselves for God’s forever kingdom and glory. He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.*

“Time! what an empty vapour ’tis!
And days how swift they are!
I welcome hours that quickly pass,
See heaven from afar.

O mighty God! these fleeting days
Thy lasting favours share;
May I be faithful to thy grace,
Through every rolling year.

‘Tis sovereign mercy finds us food,
Clothes us with strength and love;
Every rich gift is ours to use
To serve Your plans above.” ~Isaac Watts (1806); PEB

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~C. T. Studd

Lord, every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ keep me pliable in Your hands, persuaded by Your word, and invigorated for Your work. Help me expend myself to further Your gospel, build Your kingdom, and praise Your glory. (Hebrews 3:13-15)

*Jim Elliot (1949)