All in God's Perfect Timing

Psalm 90:12 (NIV)     Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90:12 (NLT)     Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

During the generations from Adam to Noah, it was not uncommon for the average lifespan of man to reach the 800s or 900s (cf. Genesis 5:1-32). After the great flood, man’s lifespan was reduced to about 120 years (cf. Genesis 6:3). This was not an immediate or abrupt change, but it occurred gradually during the generations from Noah’s sons until just after Abraham’s family. By contrast, here in the United States, the average lifespan of men and women in 1950 were 65 and 71, respectively. The latest Google information as of 2023 has our current average lifespan standing at 78.4 years of age.

            However as I read today’s verse, I am drawn to the second half which reveals the reason for a shorter lifespan... so that we may grow in wisdom. You see dear readers, wisdom is far more than knowledge. Wisdom includes such synonyms as common sense, discretion, levelheadedness, and prudence. The reason we are to understand how short life is, is that we are not only to use our time wisely, but we are also to learn how to use our head in making decisions that lead us closer to our Heavenly Father and further away from the world’s ideals.

            This is quite possibly why Paul encouraged Timothy not to have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments because they only lead to quarrels (cf. 2 Timothy 2:23); to continue in what he had learned and been taught since childhood (cf. 2 Timothy 3:14, thank you Sunday School teachers!); and to keep his head in all situations (cf. 2 Timothy 4:5). This is wisdom. Life is too short to dwell on negative. We are to be busy working toward God’s kingdom, which will be here soon—all in God’s perfect timing.

 

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Too often we misplace our focus on the aches and pains of growing old. Yet your word encourages us that the brevity of life teaches us to focus on those things which are important to you. Renew our purpose for living. Guide us as we draw closer to your Kingdom.

                                                            In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 

The devotional All in God’s Perfect Timing appeared first on Write From My Heart at 

https://writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

Email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.