Text: Psalm 39:1-13
“O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!” —Psalm 39:4
We measure a lot of things in life. Whenever I go to the doctor’s office, they measure my weight and blood pressure as part of my wellness evaluation. When I need new shoes, I measure the size of my feet to be fitted properly for healthy walking. You will undoubtedly have a measuring tape on hand when you are involved with a DIY home renovation project. Our American team of coaches is presently facilitating a baseball camp in Heubach, Germany, where we must daily measure out the distance between base paths to play the games with proper dimension and perception.
In Psalm 39, the writer “coaches” us to consider the brevity of life in a wise way. David prays:
“O LORD, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Surely a man goes about as a shadow!”
That Hebrew word for “measure” can literally be translated “measure,” “the act of measurement,” “stature,” “size,” or “garment”—as in being fitted rightly. Wearing garments of the right size can surely affect the way a person is able to perform a specific task, go about one’s daily duties, or be effective in a line of work. There is a correlation here in Psalm 39 that recognizing the brevity of one’s life will rightly fit them according to the purpose for which they have been put here.
Most people do not like to think about their expiration date—their time of departure from this present body. They might be anxious about the afterlife because of the unknown. They might be fearful of departing from their loved ones. They might be “unbelievers” who lack spiritual peace from not being reconciled to God through a saving faith in Jesus, or perhaps they are “believers” just a bit too comfortable with the things of this world. Regardless of the reasons, it is spiritually healthy to consider the shortness of our lives. In verse 12, the psalmist refers to himself as a “sojourner,” or a “guest” passing through this world “like all” his forefathers. This is a man who is rightly measuring his days, giving himself proper orientation to His Creator in the moment.
This week I am a guest in the home of some very precious German friends—people I love being with. As much as I like being where I am at this moment, this place is not my “home.” What I recognize geographically and culturally about being a foreigner, is what others have experienced in a spiritual sense as they grow more intimately in their walk with God. This world is not their home! I can remember very vividly, like it was yesterday, when my grandmother told me she was feeling a bit “homesick.” That was just before she passed away in 2004, and she and I both looked at one another with a connection that ran deep. We both knew what she meant.
It is not a bad thing to enjoy the things of this world. Marriage, parenting, building a successful career, enjoying family vacations, and having some material blessings along the way… these are all nice things. But if at any time our earthly attachments and creature comforts are keeping us from living fully in light of eternity, we are missing out on something very rich in our lives. To measure our days, to see our lives as a shadow, to know that we are merely sojourners—a missionary guest in this world—is to see ourselves and “garment” ourselves with the proper perspective. Think about that as you seek to live for Jesus in light of eternity this week.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, help me to recognize the brevity of my life this week. Teach me to measure my days, and to know my end, as the psalmist wrote. This is healthy, never frightening, when we are living fully for the kingdom of God in light of eternity. Thank you for the richness of spiritual intimacy this gives me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for Personal Reflection or Group Discussion:
- What do you tend to “measure” in terms of the day-to-day stuff of life?
- When have you found it difficult to consider/think about the brevity of life?
- Why do you think recognizing the brevity of life can “rightly” fit one for living out their God-given purpose?
- If you were to take an honest assessment of your heart right now, have you grown too fond or too attached to the things of this world?
- What can living in light of eternity look like for your this week?
