Teach Us To Number Our Days

TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS

Ps. 90:12; 39:4-8

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. We all have things we don’t like; preferences. One lady took her son Casey to a Dr. because of an ear infection. She was impressed with how well the doctor connected with her son.

2. He asked Casey, "Is there anything you’re allergic to?" Casey nodded and whispered something in the doctor's ear.

3. Smiling, the doctor nodded and said he would send the prescription to the pharmacy.

4. When the mother picked it up, the pharmacist remarked on the unusual allergy her son must have. When he saw her puzzled expression, he showed her the label on the bottle.

5. The doctor's instructions read; "Do not take with broccoli."

6. Tonight we’re going to look at a topic that might not be your favorite, but it’s good for you!

B. TEXTS

Moses said, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” Ps. 90:12, KJV.

David said, “4Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. 5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you.

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. 6 Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. 7 But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. 8 Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.” Ps. 39:4-8, NIV.

C. THESIS

1. We consider David to be wise his relationship with God. Here is some of David’s unusual insight.

2. The title of tonight’s message is “Teach us to Number our Days.”

I. DAVID’S STRANGE REQUEST (Vs. 4)

A. CERTAINTY OF DEATH

1. A Jewish Proverb says, “Every man knows he will die, but no one wants to believe it.” Nothing is so certain as death, and nothing is so uncertain as the hour of death.

2. The chances of you winning a state lottery jackpot are 1 in 4,000,000. The chance that you eventually are going to die is 1 in 1.

3. Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Job said, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (14:5).

4. For millions, crossing from this life to the next holds sheer terror. They have nothing on which to hang their faith and hope with any certainty.

B. VALUE OF CONFRONTING DEATH

1. David and Moses both realized that the more we confront our impending death, the more likely we are to use our lives wisely.

2. This life is a period of probation and preparation, after which there will be an eternity of recompense and retribution.

3. To the godless death is the end of all joys; to a godly person, it's the end of all griefs.

4. When we look upon death as a thing at a distance we are tempted to delay the necessary preparations for it; but when we consider how short life is, we begin to concern ourselves with our life's goals and achievements.

C. DEATH HOLDS NO TERROR FOR BELIEVERS

1. At death, we all cross from one territory to another, but those who have established a personal relationship with Jesus will have no trouble with their visas.

2. Their representative is already there, preparing for their arrival. Their entrance is incontestable as citizens of heaven.

3. POEM. “Think of stepping on a shore and finding it heaven! Of taking hold of a hand and finding it God’s hand! Of breathing a new air and finding it celestial air! Of feeling invigorated and finding it immortality! Of passing from storm and stress to a perfect calm! Of waking and finding yourself home!”

II. BREVITY/ FRAILTY OF LIFE (Vs. 5)

A. FRAILTY OF LIFE

1. David said, "Lord, give me to consider how frail I am." It's amazing how little holds our spirits in our bodies.

2. Do you know what the average life span of a human beings is? World wide – 67 years; in the U.S., 77 years (M – 74, F – 80). In 1900, life expectancy of man was 47!

3. 18 times a minute, you must breathe; 25,920 times a day. If you don’t, you’re dead within 3 minutes. Only a puff of breath stands between the most powerful or wealthy person, and death. That’s humbling!

B. SHORTNESS OF LIFE

1. David said, "You have made my days is as a hand breath." This is a space, the width/dimension of four fingers.

2. VALUE OF TIME