Psalm 39:4 – “O Lord, help me understand my mortality and the brevity of life.  Let me realize how quickly my life will pass.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I was brought to a new consciousness of human mortality.   I do not want to be morbid, but our brevity on earth is a reality we need to be aware of and live as though each day could be our last on earth.

In Psalm 39:4, the Psalmist prayed a prayer that we all need to pray. “O LORD, help me to understand my mortality and the brevity of life. Let me realize how quickly my life will pass.”

Time is a commodity most treat as endless on Earth.   Because we are unaware of its brevity and resist considering our limited time in the flesh, we waste time with frivolity or procrastination.

Time lost is lost at a great cost.   We should live every day with our mortality in full view.  That would propel us into action, help us avoid procrastination, and cause us to focus on purpose.

Time – how much do we have?   Something’s value is, in part, based on its rarity.  If it is in abundant supply, it is far less valuable than when it is scarce or limited.

We have been placed on earth with a purpose of heavenly importance. We invest our time (which is our lives) in what is most valuable to us. Most of us, most of the time, devote time to pleasing ourselves.   We labor to achieve contentment.   True contentment can only be found in God.

The Hebrew is, “Cause me to know my end and the measure of my days.” If we are conscious of our mortality and brevity on earth and of God’s purpose for our existence, then we will chart the course of our lives to pursue His purposes for us.

The Great Commission, Isaiah 61, and Psalm 91 become foundational elements of our lives. Matthew 6:33 becomes the starting place of every day. God first!

Investment of ourselves in God’s kingdom purposes is the only true way to redeem time. Time given to God is never wasted or lost. Whatever God has called us to do or wherever He has placed us should be where or what we invest our time in.

If we live as if today or even this moment could be our last, if God is our foundation, we will live more fully and freely than otherwise.   Stressing over a lack of time is distrust. If we pursue His purposes, we can relax because God is our hope!

Time is a gift granted to us to enable us to invest in His Kingdom. Awareness of its brevity causes us to seek His guidance and enables us to relax and rest. Psalm 39:7 gives us the right perspective: “But now, O LORD, upon what am I relying? You are my only hope!”
That’s the key – Give it all to Jesus!   Hope in Him and stop focusing on ourselves.  In Him, no time is lost.  In our own strength, no time is redeemed.

LORD, help us give you our time, hope, and dreams and live to the fullest every second. Time is our measuring tool. Eternity is God’s. In the new birth, we move from time to timelessness.   Live with the view that now is temporary. Redeem the time by investing it in Him.   We don’t need more time, we need more Jesus!

May your day be filled with a consciousness of Eternity!   Redeem the time you have and utilize it to the fullest!   Have a Great Day!