““Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. . . Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass, look away from him and leave him alone, that he may enjoy, like a hired hand, his day.” Job 14:1, 5-6 ESV
Teach us to number our days carefully
so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. Psalm 90:12
Through the Bible: Job 14-16
One of my favorite things to do in a new year is to begin a new journal. I love the point when the blank pages before me outnumber the filled pages behind me.
Each year, I start by taking a little inventory on myself. I’m kind of OCD about numbers, so it’s usually something like:
- This is my 59th year
- My 39th in ministry
- My 33rd as a married man
- My 28th as a father
- My 4th as a grandfather.
And so on. I am numbering my days.
Both Job and Moses (in Psalm 90) wrote about our days being numbered. For Job at this point in his life, it was a bleak acknowledgment. Job 14:1-5 can be summarized like this:
My days are few.
My life stinks.
God already knows when I’m going to die.
So why can’t He just leave me alone?
Job was done with suffering. Done with pain. If you were to come up to Job with a party hat and a noise maker and saying “Happy New Year,” he would be likely to punch you.
Contrast this with Psalm 90. It is attributed to Moses, which would make it the oldest Psalm. Verses 10-11 are very similar to Job 14:1:
“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. Who considers the power of your anger, and your wrath according to the fear of you?
But while the subject is the same, the conclusion is different. Job wants God to leave him alone. Moses wants God to teach him:
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Psalm 90:10-12 ESV
With every trip around the sun, I get closer to that “70 years, or 80, if you have the strength” timeline. Seventy used to sound ancient to me. Today, it sounds 11 years away.
And because of that, I am a lot more tender toward Job this time around in my read through the Bible plan. Job doesn’t want to live a second longer than the time God has appointed for him. I don’t want to give anything away from tomorrow’s reading, but Job knows that he has a living Redeemer who will stand with him when his life on earth is done. And he’s ready to see Him. I read Job’s words. I hear the weariness in his voice.
But his hurt is mixed with hope. Despair is blended with devotion. Grieving and gratitude are side by side.
That’s living. And I’m down for all of it.
I believe there are still new adventures to be had. New lessons to be learned. New insights to be gained. And I pray, Lord, that I will come to the end of this year…
- More at peace with You, yet more broken by You;
- More in love with my wife yet more aware of how fragile and delicate a God-honoring marriage truly is;
- More dedicated to my role as a father, yet more aware of my diminishing impact and years to influence their lives;
- More confident in my leadership at my church, yet more mindful of my utter dependence on You.
Let me journey without arriving, mature without mellowing, stabilize without stagnating, and study without graduating. And let me live this year only for the glory of God.
Father, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain a heart of wisdom.
This blog will always be a free resource for anyone who wants to grow in their love for God’s Word. If it has blessed you and you would like to support the ministry of 66in52, please consider a one time or recurring donation. Thank you!
Leave a Reply