Teach Us to Number Our Days
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” —Psalm 90:12
A few weeks ago, we reflected on the earthquake in Colombia and on the things that cannot be shaken. This week, news reports brought heartbreaking images from the Nepal–Tibet border, where a collapsing glacier sent ice, rock, water, and mud rushing through communities below. Once again, we are reminded that the world around us is far less secure than it sometimes appears.
This truth has also come closer to me personally. This week, an old friend went home to be with the Lord. She was well known to and dearly loved by many brothers and sisters at CBCGL. Although her family knew that her earthly journey was nearing its end, the moment still arrived sooner than they expected. Ecclesiastes 9:12 reminds us, “Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come.” We may know that death is part of our earthly life, yet none of us knows when our own hour will come.
That is why Moses prayed, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Numbering our days does not mean living anxiously or counting how many days we may have left. It means to recognize that every day is a gift entrusted to us by God. Today is a day to love, forgive, encourage, pray, serve, and walk faithfully with Christ.
Jesus gave a similar warning in the parable of the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25:1–13. Five were wise: they brought oil and kept their lamps ready as they waited for the bridegroom. The other five were unprepared, and when he arrived unexpectedly, it was too late to obtain what they lacked. Jesus concluded, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour” (Matthew 25:13).
Spiritual readiness is not predicting the date of Christ’s return. It is faithfully following Him today. Are our lamps burning? Are we growing in prayer and in God’s Word? Are we reconciled with one another? Are we using our gifts to serve? Are we sharing the hope of the gospel while there is still opportunity?
As Pastor Nathan returns from his sabbatical next week, this will be my last weekly newsletter for a while. Although these reflections will pause for a season, may none of us pause in following Christ. Let us remember those suffering from disasters, comfort those who grieve, and treasure the people God has placed in our lives.
We do not know what tomorrow will bring, nor when the Bridegroom will come. But we know the One for whom we wait. May He find us faithful, our lamps burning, and our hearts ready.
Announcement:
Here is our weekly spotlight. Other church-wide announcements can be found in our weekly bulletin.
Prayer Request:
While we are praying for the victims of the earthquakes, we’d also be glad to pray for you. If you need prayer, you can submit your prayer request via the following link: https://www.cbcgl.org/pray/