Numbering Our Days
Psalms 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Intro: Back up to verse 9.
- Psalms 90:9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.
What a story! We could all write a variety of books of the stories of our life.
I’ve done a lot of reminiscing and remembering the last few days.
My story has been an Adventure – I could write volumes of books of the amazing, exciting adventures I’ve lived.
My story has been a Travel Guide – I’ve had the joy of living and traveling all over the world. Amazing!
My story has been a Church History – fifth generation Baptist preacher; long lineage of preachers
My story has been a Mystery – crazy, bizarre things that have happened that make no sense
My story has been a Romance – a beautiful love story with the woman of my dreams
My story has been a Crime Drama – been robbed so many times it’s crazy.
My story has been a Political Science – the unbelievable open doors
My story has been a Western – the horses I’ve owned and the stories with them all would fill a book
My story has been a Horror Story – stories that would make your hair stand up on end
My story has been a Song Book – grew up in a singing family; singing in church when I was 4.
I want to look in detail at verse 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Three things we can learn about this verse:
I. The Delusion that is Normal – this is our ASSUMPTION
We act like we are going to live forever.
Nobody wants to think about dying.
But we need to be taught to think about the inevitable death we face.
Jesus worked with a constant awareness of His impending death.
- John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
Paul knew he was nearing his life’s end.
- 2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Multiple verses of Scripture admonish the people not to assume they will love longer than they should.
Especially the sinner.
Luke 12
- 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
- 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
- 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
- 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
- 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
- 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
II. The Days that are Numbered – this is our ASSESSMENT
We have a specific number of days allotted to us.
- Psalm 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
God knows what they are. We don’t.
James 4
- 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
- 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
- 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
We need to keep track of our days and make each one count.
- Ephesians 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
- Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.
III. The Desire that is Noble – this is our ASPIRATION
David wanted to apply his heart to wisdom in the days that he had left.
Not to his whims. Not to his wants. Not to his wishes.
Not to riches. Not to recreation. Not to resources.
Not to fun. Not to foolishness. Not to the flesh. Not to finances.
But to wisdom.
APPLY – to go in, enter, come, go, come in
Most people spend their days chasing their own wants and desires.
He wanted to spend his last days applying his heart unto wisdom.
God’s wisdom. Not his own!