Psalm 39:4–5: “LORD, make me to know my end, / And what is the measure of my days, / That I may know how frail I am. / 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. / Selah”

February 14th, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

No one likes to think about their own mortality, but we all need to be aware of it. As someone cleverly observed, “Everyone knows they will die, but no one wants to believe it.” This is a continuing theme in the Old Testament, especially in Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and the Book of Job, as well as the New Testament Book of James. David wisely compared the length of his life to the smallest unit of measurement in ancient times—a handbreadth, roughly 3 inches. Compared to the age of God—which is infinite, beyond measure—no human lives long.

Why should we think about this? What are we supposed to do with this knowledge? It should impress upon us the importance of seizing each day that is given to us. As Paul the Apostle said, “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:16). We have opportunities before us now that will have effects on into eternity, so we need to make the most of every situation, making the best possible use of our limited time. The Latin phrase Carpe Diem conveys this idea well. It simply means to seize opportunities while there is still time to do so.

Missteps, sins, and failures are a normal part of life. Sadly, all too often people quit trying after experiencing a public or even private failure. They feel they’ve blown it and are now disqualified for anything. However, God wants us to simply confess, repent, and then continue to press on, finishing our race well. It is easy to live in the past or dream away the future. The real challenge of life is facing the present. It is when we no longer allow ourselves the luxury of saying, “One of these days I’ll do something about my temper . . . my commitment to God . . . my responsibility to my family . . . etc.,” that we finally stop making excuses and began to move forward with the Lord.

“LORD, we want to live in the present, seizing this day to serve You. Please forgive our sins; we turn to You and seek Your will today.”