"Psalm 39:4-5 (NIV) states: “LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is... my entire lifetime is just a moment to You. At best, each of us is but a breath.”
This psalm serves as a sobering reminder of the brevity of life. It humbles me, making me keenly aware of my humanity and my dependence on God. Each moment, each breath, is not guaranteed but graciously given by the Lord. My life is but a vapor, a fleeting whisper in the grand scheme of eternity.
This passage resonates deeply with the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon, in his pursuit of meaning, sought fulfillment through wealth, pleasure, and power. Yet, after exhausting every earthly avenue, his conclusion was clear: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NIV)
Likewise, Psalm 39:7 (NLT) declares: “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in You.”
We are not called to place our hope in our abilities, accomplishments, or material possessions. These things will fade. Our days are numbered, and the question remains: How will we use the time given to us?
For me, the answer is clear—I want to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and strength. But what does that look like in practice? How can I be a faithful steward of the time God has entrusted to me?
Jesus provides a powerful answer in Matthew 25:34-36 (NIV): “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me.’”
Our time is limited, and I pray that every breath I take is used to glorify God—by loving others, serving selflessly, and proclaiming the gospel through both word and action. But where do we begin?
We begin with prayer.
Prayer is not just a habit or an obligation—it is the foundation of our relationship with God. It is our direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe. What an incredible privilege it is to speak with Him anytime, anywhere! He longs to hear from us, to guide us, and to reveal opportunities for us to share His love.
Prayer should not be merely a discipline—it should be a lifestyle.
Let us pray for eyes to see the lost, for boldness to proclaim the gospel, and for the wisdom to steward our time wisely. May we daily take up our cross, surrender our plans to the Lord, and walk in faithful obedience, knowing that our time on this earth is short—but our impact for eternity can be immeasurable.
Lord, teach us to number our days and use them for Your glory. Amen.