The Lord is awe-inspiring, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in Psalm 39:5-7,
"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. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: he bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."
"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. Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: he bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."
David acknowledges something his son will observe later in the book of Ecclesiastes: the temporary and transitional nature of this life leads us to the realization that life here is so short that it seems like it is just a breath. David asks the Lord in verse 4 to show him his life's end and the number of his days. He wanted to know just how fleeting his life was. He observes that what motivates so many seems meaningless from this perspective. "Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: he bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it."
What a perspective! Were we to adopt such an outlook we would be suspected of depression and in need of counseling! But, David has it right. An honest appraisal of life does lead us to the inevitable conclusion David espresses here: there just isn't a whole lot that makes a difference in what the mainstream of society pursues. Our lifetimes are not that long from the perspective of eternity. What wealth and possessions we accumulate will all be left behind. Our accomplishments, wealth, acknowledgements, awards, success and fame all follow us to the grave, eaten up by cancer, heart disease, a car accident or whatever.
It is from this very clear view of reality that the hope we have in Jesus Christ springs forth. A purposeful and rich life lived well here is always done so in the light of what is coming next: eternity for all. Will we be headed for eternal life or eternal death? Will the quality of my life in eternity be that which brings me an exciting anticipation? David goes on to say in this psalm, "But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions..." David looked ahead to life in the resurrection. He sought a place with the Lord where he knew he had a wonderful hope.
We, likewise have our hope in the Lord. This hope is what brings an exciting edge to our relationship with him and buffers the pull of the false entrapments of this life. How wonderful the inheritance is the Lord is holding for each of us who have embraced him in faith!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
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