Expiration Date

May 12

Read: Psalm 139, Job 14:1-5

God and Time

Expiration Date

“…(mans) days are determined, and the number of is months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass…” - Job 14:5

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” - Psalm 139:16

We only have so much “time” in this world, then our time here ends. The Lord has numbered our days. I know this is a controversial idea in some respects. We feel as though he control our lives, this world, and the circumstances that we encounter. The scriptures DO NOT seem to relieve us of the responsibility to steward our lives… and yet our days are numbered. The scriptures teach us that knowing this truth and reflecting on it is one of the things that will lead us into wisdom: “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:2)

This truth is not designed to make us anxious or pessimistic, but rather to spur us on to live our lives with intentionality, purpose, and meaning; after all… “which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Jesus, Matthew 6:27) The scriptures seem to be teaches us to view this portion of our lives, this time here on earth, in light of the eternity that we have with Christ. The mindset of the people of God is one that understands that, “you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

No one escapes this truth. Our days are numbered. This is true for kings as much as peasants. Every earthly kingdom will come to an end. Every organization, nation, business and era will come to an end… every one except the Kingdom of God! (cf. Daniel 5:26) God is present with us in the midst of this truth.

This is how we can bear this weight without despair. God is with us… near to us… guiding us and leading us along. In this way, God is very much “in time” because he is in US! The Spirit creates a healthy sense of urgency, and a hunger in us for what is next. God is patient and kind with us in the midst of our youthful optimism as well as our moments of frailty in our aging. God is willing to participate with us in time. He has numbered our days. “Momento Mori” Love you guys. -JDP