“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”-Psalm 90:12
Time is so precious. In my lifetime, this has never been so evident as it is right now. COVID has brought to each of us the harsh reality of our own mortality. Perhaps to some this is a revelation, and to others more of a reminder. Indeed, we may now each say with absolute certainty. We are not promised tomorrow.
The Psalmist David exhorted us all in holy scripture to “teach us to number our days.” Periodically, it fell to the kings of old to “number” the people. Effectively taking a census to see how many were in the kingdom. It was just as important then, as it is today to “number” what is in your kingdom. Take stock, take inventory, what are you doing? Where are you headed? How are you spending your time? If we all accept the fact that our time is precious; it falls to us to consider what is the best use of our (though not ours but God’s, vouchsafed to us) time. Which inevitably leads us to the question: Where should we invest our time? I recall a story that a good, sanctified brother told me. Once upon a time a group of sanctified people went down to Mississippi to hold revival. These revivals were held in the open-air tent meetings. Before you could hold a tent meeting, a venue had to be acquired, the tent had to be raised, and you then set about soliciting interest in the community. It was not exactly a leisurely task. Sanctified folks did this to try and get a revival going and win souls for Jesus. However, during this particular “tent meeting” in Mississippi, not one single person from the community came. This left one dear sanctified soldier feeling down and discouraged, and as he sat on the altar rail, he thought to himself; “are we wasting our time?” Now, this same soldier went on many years later to start a church in a different state. One meeting after he had preached a sermon a man walked up to him and said “Hi, do you remember setting up a tent in Mississippi?” “Yes.” Replied the preacher. “Well, me and my mother sat on our porch every night and listen to you ‘all sing……never have we heard such pretty, spirit filled, singing. We would have come to the tent meeting, but for the fact we didn’t have a car, but I am here now.” Folks, you can’t waste your time doing the Lord’s work. It may seem to you and to everyone around you that you’re wasting your time. It may not be as glamorous as skydiving or rocky mountain climbing; backpacking through Europe or hiking through Patagonia. It’s a humble way, a “quiet and peaceable life.” It’s a good way.
Lord teach us to number our days. Examine ourselves in prayer, in the light of the scriptures and true gospel preaching. Let the Holy Spirit winnow our souls. Sanctified people, near and far, let us spend and be spent in the service of God. For we are not promised tomorrow! God help us to invest our time in fields that will yield eternal returns. If you cannot waste your time doing the Lord’s work, then, how better are we to spend our fleeting minutes in this life?
