“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.”
Psalm 39 is attributed to David as its writer; God is the Author. David petitioned God for three things:
1) “Make me to know mine end” David was saying to make me to know or understand the importance of physical death. When you die physically, several things come into play. First, you cease to walk among the living and take your place among the dead, either with God or outside the presence of God. Because your Eternal Destiny is manifested here in this life, you can know if you are a child of God without any doubt. If you are a child of God, a son of God, then your eternal abode will be with God. Therefore, now is the day of Salvation, now is the time. Secondly, all earthly relationships cease. No more opportunities to say “I forgive you” or “I love you” or “I need you” or to have another chance to fix it or mend it or change it. Thirdly, all opportunity of Service in God’s Work here upon this earth ceases. As sons of God we have been made Witnesses of the Testimony of Christ, Ambassadors for Christ, Ministers of His Reconciliation. But when death comes, all opportunities cease.
Therefore we need to know that our end is death. The time will come that we all will step out of time into eternity. Then there will no more changing.
2) “And the measure of my days” David was saying, teach me the number of my days. Not only am I going to die, but I have been allotted a certain amount of days to do and to fulfill God’s Purpose for me. In Psalm 90:10, Moses says, “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” And verse 12 Moses continues, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
The average life span Moses said would be 70 years and for some 80 years. But soon to be cut off and we fly away. David said in Psalm 39:5a “Behold, Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth” (or the width of the hand – such a short distance). So God teaches us to number our days. Why? That we may apply our hearts unto wisdom; that we may understand that we only have a short time to live on earth. Therefore apply our hearts to Wisdom, or to Christ, Who is Wisdom. Why do that? It is at Wisdom’s feet we receive knowledge and the understanding to put the knowledge of God to work in our lives in a practical sanctifying way; whereby we are led to a life of Joy, Peace and Power.
3) “That I may know how frail I am.” Thirdly David was saying, God, teach me what time I have; not only that I am going to die, not only do I have a certain time span to live. But God teach me how many days I have here. Psalm 119:84a, “How many are the days of Thy servant?” God normally does not tell us exactly how many days we have as to number in our entire life span. Look again at Psalm 119:81-88 and you will see that David was being persecuted by his enemy and he wanted to know how many his days in this affliction are. “When will Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?” Psalm 119:84b.
Take refuge in God’s Word: Psalm 119:114, “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Thy Word. “
We need to be aware that now is the time of life, of opportunity, and of service to God and for God. Let us apply our heart to wisdom; let us tend to, abide in, walk in, live in and make part of our life Wisdom, or Christ. For in Him we learn Love, Mercy, Grace, Light, Holiness and Truth. And the Truth will make you free.
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