“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12, ESV) 

Hester Ford, the oldest living person in the United States, died in 2021 at the age of 115 or possibly 116 (conflicting records). She lived a lot of days and saw things that are only history to most of us: two world wars, the Great Depression, and the Spanish flu to the coronavirus.

Who is the oldest person you have personally known? For me, I think it was a sweet, committed child of God who reached an amazing 103 years. She has been gone for several years now, but I still have fond memories of our visits together. She let me know that although her remaining time was limited, she had a number of things yet to accomplish. She faced life with a “let’s get it done” attitude. She knew how to make the most of the time God had given her, and she wisely used that time for Him.

Psalm 90, from which the above verse is taken, is noted as “A prayer of Moses, the man of God.” Within this prayer, Moses compares man’s frailty to grass which springs up in the morning and withers away by evening. Our time on this earth is limited, but the eternal God is not bound by time. With Him, “a thousand years in Your sight are like yesterday when it is past” (verse 4).

Time is a gift from God. I recently read a quote that stated, “Today is God’s gift to you, but how you use it is your gift to him” (author unknown). If God gifts us with time, then we must ask ourselves how to best use that gift for His glory.

James 4:14 calls this earthly existence a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. If this life is temporary, and it is, then we must make every day count. Scripture reminds us that none have the promise of tomorrow; however, we can make the most of every God-given opportunity today.

          Today I will put God first.

          Today I will live intentionally.

          Today I will seek to align my priorities with God’s priorities.

          Today I will seek opportunities to share God’s goodness with others.

          Today I will make the best use of my time possible.

We serve the Lord one day at a time. If we determine to give our best to God each day, then everything else will fall into place. It’s a daily commitment.

Whether we are in the morning hours of our life or are the approaching evening hours of old age, we must make the most of the time we have been given. Those hours are a precious gift from God, and He wants us to use them wisely.

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you live ​— ​not as unwise people but as wise ​— ​making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” (Ephesians 5:15-17, CSB)

What are you doing with today’s gift of time?

Lord, thank You for the gift of time, precious hours that I must choose to spend wisely. Help me to prioritize my day so there is time for You, for loved ones, and to touch others with Your love. Guide my steps so that I accomplish all You have chosen for me to do each day. Help me to live wisely and serve You wholeheartedly.

Author

Mary enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and spending time with old friends. Although directionally challenged, she would rather take the back roads with their discoveries than the boredom of the interstate.

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