LORD, PLEASE LET MY LIFE HAVE MEANING!
- Key Verse
"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.” (Psalm 39:4)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Since our days are numbered, why be concerned about dying? Instead, live for God!
Reflections
Imagine a rope stretched from HCBC to Lakeline Mall. This rope represents the length of time from Creation to the present. Now tie a knot in that rope – that knot represents your life span on Earth. Pretty humbling, right?
Some people are concerned about how long they will live. Frankly, that has never been a real concern of mine. I trust God to give me the number of days He desires for my life. "Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed." (Job 14:5) Moses says, “The length of our days are 70 years, or 80 if we have the strength." (Psalm 90:10). Moses also asked, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12)
Something was really bugging David! He was praying that God would give him answers to the questions that were burning in his heart. Why does man bustle about heaping up possessions, never knowing if he will ever be able to enjoy them? Lord, what can I look for or expect from You? Show me the number of my days which is but a breath from Your lips. Hear my prayer for help, O Lord, before I depart this earth.
Having spent two years aboard ship in the Navy, I learned about knots. Slip knots will give way under pressure. Square knots hold firm. We need to be like the square knot. We need to make each day count, not wasting time on meaningless things. Let us remember that time is a gift from God, and we must use it wisely.
Jesus stated in a teaching concerning His sheep (followers): “I am come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB) I don’t think John meant more days of life as much as he meant spiritual fulfillment. GOD IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUALITY OF OUR LIFE THAN THE NUMBER OF DAYS.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you deeply concerned about how long you will live?
2. Do you admire people in their 80’s or 90’s that are still alert and enjoying life?
3. If we are assured of going to heaven when we die, why are we afraid of death?
Bob A. King
February 23, 2010 09:54 AM
Tom, I know I'm a day early but I loved your knot illustration and your powerful comments on life. You are a godly example of what it means to LIVE life which encourages all of us. THANK YOU for letting God lead you!
Mark Sutton
February 24, 2010 04:31 AM
Tom, Thanks for the perspective. Yes, God is concerned with the quality of my life and how I spend my time. If the enemy can get me to believe the lie that God does not want the best for me, I can be derailed from spending time on what God has for me. In turn degrading the quality of my life.
Chip Smith
February 24, 2010 06:03 AM
Hey Tom, it was great to spend some time with you this last weekend at the men's retreat! Wasn't that a powerful time? One of my life's verses is Ephesians 5:17, "Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the LORD wants you to do." Verse 6 is really convicting: "...all our busy rushing ends in nothing." NLT I really like the scripture you pointed out, Psalm 90:12, "Teach us to number our days aright...." One way to do that is to begin with the end in mind. In other words, what would you like to hear being said about you at your funeral? For instance, I would want my sons to say, "Dad spent time with me." Or my wife to say, "Chip really showed me how much he loved me." Or better yet, "Chip was a man whose heart was after God." What I would say about you is, "Tom was a man who had God's word in his heart and spoke with words of wisdom." Have a great day, buddy.
randy
February 24, 2010 07:43 AM
Thank you Tom for sharing this today with us! I am going to personalize your knot illustration and make it my prayer: I need to be like the square knot. I need to make each day count, not wasting time on meaningless things. Let me remember that time is a gift from God, and I must use it wisely. Oh Lord, Hear My Prayer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY-eYgNTCsw
Thom Kurtz
February 24, 2010 07:47 AM
Thank you, Tom, for the excellent counsel this morning about God's concerns. I do admire those who are blessed with long life, and remember Proverbs 16:31 - "A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness." Thanks to you and Deanna for your service to our communities.
Libby Barber
February 24, 2010 07:49 AM
I so appreciate your thoughts, Tom, and especially am thankful that you and Dea are modelling the concept of serving and finishing strong! I love you two! Libby
Kay Tooley
February 24, 2010 07:52 AM
Tom - you and Dee have been two of the single most influential God-loving, sojourners in our lifes. Thank you for always persevering, always praising and always living life joyfully. We love you guys dearly.
Randy Allen
February 24, 2010 08:57 AM
Thanks. We drove by a bill board Sunday that read, "Life is short. Eternity is forever." - God. That about says it all.
Dick Miller
February 24, 2010 09:19 AM
Tom, right on. That was just what i needed today. Thanks. This (our earthly life) is not all that there is. I think God wants me to focus on what and what lill be not what was (as many my age do). Blessings on you and Deanne.
Cindy Hawks
February 24, 2010 09:40 AM
God, make me square knot not a slip knot today on your rope of life! Tom, thanks for years of faithfully demonstrating a "square knot" life. Love you and Deanna!
Joe Harris
February 24, 2010 10:27 AM
ThNKS TOM... VERY GOOD. I AM GOING TO SHARE SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS WITH OUR GRIEFSAHRE FOLKS
Emily Estill
February 24, 2010 12:22 PM
Thank you so much for sharing from the wisdom God has given you! I have been thinking of you a lot lately and miss you. God has brought you to mind during my prayer time often. Love y'all and God bless!
Beckye Estill
February 24, 2010 01:26 PM
Tom you are one who I look to as whose life has meaning and purpose, and you have been an inspiration to me for decades. Thank you for faithfully serving God and being such a great example and influence for all of us. Love you eternally! Big hugs to you and Dee!
Kathy Duncan
February 24, 2010 02:26 PM
Amen, Tom. You have always been special to me and I am personally glad that God has seen fit to give you more days....
Linda Jean Butler
February 25, 2010 10:22 AM
I miss seeing you, too. It was so good to read your wisdom. Thanks for sharing it.
Julie Winton
February 25, 2010 10:55 PM
I am totally with you Tom. Thanks for the good words. I am thrilled Steve and I get to spend eternity with you and Dee. Love you and miss you. Julie
CJ
June 5, 2010 10:45 AM
Better to make everyday count. My day has been full of troubles and worries. But this reading has helped me get a perspective. Thanks for the devotion.