“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
Dear Ones:
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he addresses the issue of time, and its use. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (5:16) He speaks of this matter of “redeeming the time” also in his letter to the Colossians. Why? Time, in a very real sense, is the measure of one’s opportunity before God, to glorify and honor Him. It is in the measure that men use rightly the time that God has given, that will determine if it will count for eternity. But, how is this to be so? What must the believer trust the Lord for specifically, so that time is well and rightly spent?
In the book of Isaiah, we find expressed a theme and truth that is pervasive in the Old Testament, having a major bearing on how time and opportunity are to be redeemed. Isaiah writes: “…surely this people is grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” (40:8) This same concept and theme is spoken about by David. In Psalm 103, he writes: “For He (God) knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it , and it is gone.” (v.14,15) Both Isaiah and David speak of the limitations of man with regard to time, and yet, a very real time for everything under heaven, for God’s glory. Why does Scripture bring this matter before our eyes so consistently?
Moses, in Psalm 90, speaks of the eternal nature of God: “…from everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God.” (v.2) He then contrasts this unchanging, eternal God, with the “dust” of man, who also is like “grass.” He writes: “In the morning it flourishes and grows up; in the evening it is cut down, and withers.” Moses goes on to speak of the length of days of men, some living seventy years, others to eighty. It is then, in the context of the limitation of time, that Moses begins a prayer, one that is essential to man, if he would truly redeem, use well and rightly, his time. He begins by asking the Lord: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (v.12) Essential to the right, eternal, use of one’s time is the conviction of one’s need to trust God to teach the believer, to grant him wisdom, to understand how to use the time aright.
The second thing in this matter of prayer is the appeal for the direct intervention of God, beseeching Him to “return,” to visit again His people, and the individual. Without a personal awareness and conviction of the work of God in the heart and circumstances, there will not be a solution to the use of time.
The third point in prayer is that of praying: “Satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (v.14) Essential to usefulness is fullness, the fullness of the Spirit and the knowledge of the will of God. The appeal here is to the abounding, eternal mercy of God, specifically revealed in joy, His gladness given. Serving the Lord with gladness is a key to usefulness.
Fourthly, there is the need for a vision of God, and His work. “Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants, and Thy glory unto their children.” (v.16) His “work” and His “glory” are essential for faith and obedience.
Fifthly, there is the prayer for His blessing and favor, His beauty being revealed to, and upon the believer. The confirmation of His blessing is the manifest presence in and through the believer.
And lastly, twice Moses prays for the establishment by God of the works of our hands. Why does he pray this? Only that which is done by Christ will last. The prayer is for God to be IN the work, the lasting essence of it.
Dear Father, Teach us to redeem the time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad