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Single Minded
by Michelle Brinson
and the number of my days;
let me know how fleeting is my life.
You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath.
Psalm 39:4-5 NIV
Have you ever stopped to think about how life is truly "only a moment" in time?
As David composed this psalm, I can't help but wonder what must have happened for him to write something so deep and so passionate. It is obvious it must have been something big that caused him to wonder about the number of days we are given.
In this psalm, he is praying to God to make him aware of the shortness and uncertainty of life and the nearness of death. David isn't asking God to know how long he will live and when he will die. Instead, he is asking God for wisdom and grace to consider the uncertainty of his life to improve what he knows concerning it.
Do you ever think about when you will die? I can't say I really give it much thought. I wonder, if I did think about it… would it change the way I live today – knowing what "life" truly means and how "fleeting" it is?
As I have spent time thinking about this and mediating on this psalm in preparation for my column this week… the answer it yes.
I am reminded that our days are numbered and when it's over… it's over.
Most days we look at death as something off in the distance. In doing so, it's easy to put off the necessary preparations for it; but, when we stop to consider just how short life truly is, we should see ourselves focused on doing what needs to be done, not only with all our might, but doing it as soon as we can.
It should drive us to live our lives as each day might be our last… and today might very well be our last.
In this psalm David continues to meditate upon the brevity and vanity of life, pleading them with God for relief under the burdens of life, just as Job did, and pleading them with himself for his quickening to the business of life.
My hope is in you.
Psalm 39:7 NIV
And after meditating on the shortness and uncertainty of life, and the vanity that attends all the comforts of life, David then turns his eyes and heart heaven-ward. He realizes his dependence is on God – not on the number of days he lives.
It is only after considering the frailty of human life David's desires are deadened to the things of this world and he lowers his expectations from it.
David realizes that we cannot always count on having good health and prosperity, nor can we rely upon comfort found in any relationship; for all these things are just as uncertain as our life is here on earth.
My hope is in you.
When our confidences fail, there is great comfort in knowing that we have a God to go to, a God we can trust, and we should be inspired to quickly grab a hold of him by faith.
As I think about the time I have now… today… I realize I waste too much time worrying about tomorrow when it isn't even guaranteed. What about you? Do you spend a lot of time thinking about tomorrow?
Today is a precious gift. Live it! Enjoy it! Remember, life is "only a moment" – and a fleeting one at that.
Dear Lord, I pray that each day I will remember how short life truly is and how important is it for me to focus on You and what You would have me do with this precious day You have given me. It is my heart's desire to honor and glorify You with this day! Awaken the desire within each of us for You and You alone for our hope truly is in YOU!
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Michelle sees her marriage as a ministry and desires for it and herself to be used by God. She and her husband and son are active members of their church. She is also passionate about spreading the good news locally as well as internationally via mission trips to East Africa and wherever else the Lord leads.
Michelle is a talented writer and speaker who prays God will use her in sharing His hope and truths to those who are hurting and in need of love.
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