What is really important in a short life? Let’s look at Psalm 39.
In the presence of the wicked and constant foul language, have we tried to keep silent?
I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.” So I remained utterly silent, not even saying anything good. But my anguish increased; my heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: (Ps 39:1-3 NIV)
Have we ever thought about how short life is, how temporary, how vain is wealth?
Lord, make me to know my end, And what is the measure of my days, That I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; Surely they busy themselves in vain; He heaps up riches, And does not know who will gather them. (Ps 39:4-6 NKJV)
Where do we put our hope? Does God’s punishment sometimes seem too much? Is life but a breath?
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. Rescue me from my rebellion. Do not let fools mock me. I am silent before you; I won’t say a word, for my punishment is from you. But please stop striking me! I am exhausted by the blows from your hand. When you discipline us for our sins, you consume like a moth what is precious to us. Each of us is but a breath. Interlude (Ps 39:7-11 NLT)
How urgent is today’s prayer? What if today is our last chance to pray?
Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were. Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away and exist no more. (Ps 39:12-13 WEB)
If we really realized how short our lives were going to be, what would we focus on?
Thus, All human life on the earth is like grass, and all human glory is like a flower in a field. The grass dries up and its flower falls off, but the Lord’s word endures forever. (1 Pet 1:24-25 CEB Isa 40:6-8)
What is really important in a short life? You decide!
