Today for Eternity

“So teach us to number our days,

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

     Psalm 90:12 (NKJV)

The end of another year is approaching. As we reflect on this past year and ponder the new one, it’s helpful to do so from an eternal perspective.

God is outside time—He is “from everlasting to everlasting” (Psalm 90:2), yet He has a lot to say about time and how we use it.  For example, we’re cautioned to redeem the time for the days are evil (Eph. 5:16). And we’re exhorted to use our time in doing all things to His glory (1 Corinth. 10:31).  We are to be good stewards of all the resources we’ve been given, including our time. Because time is limited, it is good to pray as the psalmist did, asking God to “teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

There are no calendars in heaven and time does not exist in eternity.  However, our time on earth is short--a mere handsbreadth (Psalm 39:5). So let’s resolve this new year to use our time wisely, for God’s glory.  

Every day is a gift from God and no one is guaranteed tomorrow. That fact should motivate us to make today count for eternity.

Meditation & Application

I will keep on obeying your instructions
    forever and ever.
I will walk in freedom,
    for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
I will speak to kings about your laws,
    and I will not be ashamed.
How I delight in your commands!
    How I love them!
I honor and love your commands.
    I meditate on your decrees.  Psalm 119:44-48

What am I going to do in 2019? There were many milestones that I reached this year.  One was making it to twenty years at the same place of employment.  Not too shabby for a person who had not stayed anywhere longer than four.  Many other achievements were reached such as having a daughter get to ninth grade and being in decent shape in other areas in my life.  The year has had lots of successes, and looking toward 2019, it is a good time to pause and reflect on what has worked this year.  In that vein, it would be bad for me to simply look at my growth in faith and not realize that there was much room still to grow as a Christ follower.  It is important that while I can do all things through Him, I must remember that I am not Him.  While my faith by works is not good, my works through faith is.  And while I read His word, it is crucial that I do not just say to myself, “Hey!  That’s good to know!”  It is more important that I reflect on it and meditate so that it has both relevancy and value.

We should all take time to gain greater understanding of God’s word not only in comprehension but also through application. As I read the 119^th Psalm, there are many different prayers for not only God’s guidance but also our obedience to Him.  If I am reading it for comprehension alone, I may lose its intent.  Do I really get freedom by enslaving myself to God’s commandments?  If I love the law, am I able to truly love my neighbor?  What courage will I need to always speak the truth of God’s word even when it either might hurt someone or disagrees with other laws?  These are questions one should be asking as they read these verses, and it is clearly noted as such as David said in the 48^thverse, “I meditate on your decrees.”  Even amid his giving glory to God, he noted that he must make time to reflect on those things God had laid on his heart.  We too must take that approach as we gain greater clarity into God’s will for us.  If we rush too fast through a reading, we may find ourselves missing a key principle in our life that may either become a shortfall or lead us down a more treacherous path.

God’s word is there for us when we need instruction. A devotion years ago described the Bible like an owner’s manual for a car.  Most of us know how to operate the car, but to truly take care of it, one must learn of the manual’s contents to ensure a long healthy car life.  For us to have a healthy and growing spiritual life, we too must push not to just read God’s word.  We must understand the context of what we are reading, ensure it means what it says, and pray for guidance in applying it in our lives.  That’s something we should all aspire to do in the New Year.  What practices do you have to ensure clarity when reading God’s word?  How can you reflect more on it in the coming year?  My prayer is that this New Year we find practices to ensure meditation for future application.  Amen, and may you have a blessed and Happy New Year!