Numbering Our Days: Living for God’s Glory
Life is a precious gift, yet it is fleeting. Each of us has but one life to live, and we do not know the number of our days. We get one opportunity to live while on earth; after we die, there are no more opportunities. Anything we want to do to make a difference in our world (meaning the world of your family, your friends, your church, your vocation, etc.) needs to be now. In Psalm 90, Moses, a man who led God’s people through the wilderness, offers timeless reflections on the brevity of life and the eternal nature of God. This psalm calls us to number our days, to live with wisdom, and to pursue a life that glorifies God. Let us consider how we can love well, live well, and honor God with the time He has entrusted to us as we go about numbering our days: living for God’s glory.
God’s Eternal Glory: Our Dwelling Place
Psalm 90 begins with a profound declaration:
“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Ps 90:1-2).
God is eternal, unchanging, and faithful. He is our refuge, the One who remains constant amidst the shifting sands of life. While our lives are brief, God is everlasting. He is our home, our security, and our hope. As we reflect on His eternal glory, we are reminded to anchor our lives in Him, for only in God do we find true stability and purpose. Always – no matter what is going on – our dwelling place.
Human Life: Brief, Fragile, and in Need of Reverence
Moses continues by contrasting God’s eternity with the frailty of human life:
“You turn man to [dust], and say, ‘Return, O children of men.’ For a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night” (Ps 90:3-4).
Life is short, like a watch in the night or a sigh that vanishes quickly (v. 9). We are born, we live, and we return to dust.
While you read, take a moment and sigh to yourself. Moses explains that is the shortness of life. Sobering.
For Moses and the Israelites, the wilderness wanderings were a time of hardship and judgment, a sobering reminder of human mortality and God’s holiness. Yet this reality is not meant to discourage us but to awaken us. We must live with eternity in view, recognizing that our days are limited and that every moment is an opportunity to honor God. The brevity of life calls us to reverence, to live purposefully in light of God’s eternal perspective.
A Prayer for Wisdom: Numbering Our Days
In response to life’s fragility, Moses prays,
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps 90:12).
Like an accountant carefully tallying figures, we are to count our days with intentionality. This prayer is not merely about acknowledging life’s shortness but about seeking wisdom to live well.
Moses continues and also pleads for God’s compassion:
“Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!” (Ps 90:14).
What a great prayer! Lord, satisfy me with Your covenant faithfulness, Your loyal love, Your mercy. Oh that we would simply be satisfied with God’s faithfulness every day.
He then asks God to turn sorrow into joy, to make His people’s labor fruitful, and to establish the work of their hands (v. 17). This prayer reminds us that our lives, though brief, can be filled with purpose when we depend on God’s steadfast love.
What does it mean to number our days?
How can we live in a way that counts for eternity? Consider these practical applications from Psalm 90:
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Live Well with Wisdom
To number our days is to evaluate how we spend our time. Are we investing in what lasts – our faith, our families, God’s kingdom, and His church? Or are we easily distracted by the fleeting pursuits of this world? Wisdom begins with grounding our decisions in God’s Word, not in the pressures of culture. Take advantage of the opportunities God provides. Look for them diligently. Ask yourself: What can I do today to align my life with God’s purposes? -
Glorify God by Anchoring Yourself in Eternity
God is our dwelling place, our refuge. To glorify Him, we must spend time with Him, seeking His presence through prayer, Scripture, and worship. When do you set aside time to meet with God? How does your life reflect His glory? Ask God to shine through you, that others may see His light in all you do. -
Love Well by Reflecting God’s Steadfast Love
God’s covenant faithfulness – His loyal love – sets the example for how we are to love others. His mercy empowers us to show mercy, to love with humility, and to serve those around us. As recipients of God’s grace, we are called to reflect that grace to others. Consider how you can demonstrate God’s love in your relationships today. -
Live with Eternity in Mind
Life is short, but eternity is long. Moses reminds us that our days are like a sigh, yet they are significant when lived for God’s glory. How have you responded to Jesus? Are you living in a way that counts for eternity? Reflect on your priorities and ask God to guide you in making choices that honor Him.
Consider this first step…
Friends, we have but one life, and we do not know its length. Let us pray with Moses, Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Let us live well, love well, and glorify God in all we do. What step can you take today to make your life count? Perhaps it is a commitment to spend time with God, to invest in a relationship, or to serve in His church. Whatever it may be, take that first step with faith, trusting God to establish the work of your hands.
May the Lord satisfy us with His mercy, fill us with His joy, and use our lives for His glory.
For more on your purpose of life: Do Not Miss the Wisdom of Ecclesiastes: It is Helpful Every Day
To learn more about the Good News of the Gospel
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together
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