Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 90:7-12
Ps 90:7-12
7 We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. 8 You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. 9 All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. 10 The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. 11 Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. 12 Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Eph 5:15-17
15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Some translations use the phrase “redeeming the time” or “making the best use of your time” in Ephesians 5:16. How much of our time is wasted? Since we don’t know how long we will live or what will happen in our lives, we need to make the best use possible with every moment of every day.
This does not preclude resting or taking a vacation. On one occasion Jesus told his disciple to “come away and rest” after they had been through a difficult day. On several other occasions it is mentioned that Jesus went away by himself and spent time in prayer and resting. Rest is vital to being healthy and getting things done but wasting our time is condemned. The rich farmer that was going to tear down his barns and build bigger barns was going to just take it easy in the years ahead. He was called a fool by our Lord and his life was taken that night.
We are to number our days aright and gain a heart of wisdom. We have a task to do and our days are numbered so our time is running out. Our task is to serve God and to bring glory to his name so we need to study his word. We serve God as we serve others. It may be in sharing the gospel with them. Jesus said the fields are white unto harvest. Our service may also include helping those in need or visiting the sick or taking time to be with the lonely. It may be a kind word or encouraging someone who is struggling or a combination of all of these plus more.
O Lord God, my strength and my guide. Give me a burning desire to know your will and a willingness to take the time to study it. Give me wisdom to meditate on your word and to understand how to best apply it in my life. As a teacher, give me patience with those who do not readily understand. Help me make the most of my time and use it to your glory. Lord, I am greatly concerned about our nation, our leaders, the news media and all the discord that seem to prevail. Please give your wisdom so that we might live peaceful lives. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
