In Psalm 90:12, there is an interesting statement that has been passed down to us...to consider and think about: A Gleaning from Psalm 90:12:
"Teach us Lord...to live right....to live well...to make good use of the time we have while we are here on the earth.
If we can find a way to do this, then our hearts will have the capability to: "Think the way You think!"
It's interesting that here in this verse, how we think...comes from the heart. Jewish belief rationalized that our thoughts originate...from our hearts...instead of our heads. It's referred to as a "Jewish idiom". Another Jewish belief was...they thought love originated from your...stomach. Hmmm? Puts a little different perspective on the phrase "gut feelin'". (So, next time you go out on a first date, and your "gut tells you" this guy or girl is a "selfish idiot", maybe you should "put the brakes on...right then". lol)
Actually, this verse out of Psalm 90 are words spoken by Moses. It doesn't mean he wrote this Psalm, although some think he might have, still others conclude it was written centuries later.
The thing about Moses is: this guy had been schooled and quite learned in all the sciences of the Egyptians...when Egypt was "The prominent nation in the world". Moses had access to the latest technology, state of the art tools, and taught by brilliant minds of that day.
Yet, here in this Psalm, Moses announces a specific request. He didn't ask for prosperity, he didn't ask for good health, he didn't even ask for guidance. Instead, he asked God to "teach us to number our days". He shifted all the responsibility of our "fate in life" from totally being God's sovernity in our lives with comments like : "Well, it must have been God's Will", or "Whatever happens...happens" to : "God, teach us how to know some of this...I want to think about life the way You think about it."
Job had once stated: "Look, You have an exact idea on the number of days we have here on earth...I need to learn of You about this...so life can make a little more sense to me."
King David concluded in Psalm 39:5 "Look, my lifespan is no longer than the "width of my hand", in fact my entire life is but...a moment to You. Even when man is "at his best", "the best "...is but one breath to You...and it still can be nothing more than vanity."
So...is there something to how we spend and use our time? I think so....
An Italian philosopher expressed his thoughts on the "numbering our days" that Moses had requested...like this: "Time is like owning this large estate. Without proper cultivation, quality pay for the type of laborers you might need to assist, and general plans and updates to fulfil your most extensive desires, you will be in an endless spin with no idea what to do next. Without all these "valuable tools", the estate will suffer from negligence, overrun with weeds, and will be an "eyesore" to those who pass by."
Number our Days????...what is Moses talkin' about?
Ok, check this out...Moses had led the Israelites across the deserts which end up being a 40 year journey... right? (Research says the walking journey from Egypt to the entrance of the Promised Land can actually be done...in 11 days.)
Thousands of graves had been strewn across this desert journey, and Moses himself was one of the last survivors of those who had started (when they crossed the Red Sea).
The saddest part of the entire journey had to be the fact the graves had come as a result of the people themselves. Now, I am in no way saying that calamities are always a result of being in rebellion against God....because the Scriptures are also full of stories of those who gave their hearts to Him...and suffered terribly in this life. What I am saying that in regards to Moses, he knew this entire journey was marred by those who turned...against the Lord...to the point of refusing to have anything to do with Him, and choosing a different course to help them get out of the "dilemma" they were in.
Moses seemed to be taking an "inventory"...the sin...the sorrow...the temptations...and was wondering how this journey really made sense.
Moses seemed to conclude his thoughts with this...he needed more....he needed to find a way to draw closer to God...closer than even Commandments carved in stone. He needed more than seeing God as a fiery bush...he need to get "inside God", or else "God get inside" him. Moses desired at that point of his life....to think...think...think the way God thinks. Thus, verse 12 says "Teach us to number our days...so we can think life through...together."
So...what does Moses mean to "number our days?"
I don't think it has any to do with mathematics. Moses had learned that when he was young in the courts of the Egyptians. I think what he was leaning toward was...time. Moses wanted...Moses needed the time...with the Lord. That, in my humble opinion is what the "numbering our days thing" is about.
So, how do we do that today..."number our days"? I personally think it starts with an idea like : "Ok, today I am going to take a verse of the Sacred Scripture...keep it in my mind (or heart as the Jewish custom had been)...and see if I can make it work. For example, maybe I need some more understanding when dealing with others at my workplace....instead of dismissing someone as "an idiot"..., maybe reaching out a little and ask a question about them (man, just writing this idea is tough lol).
Yet, I also know I can't do this alone. I need to say a few prayers to God,...maybe first to see if He likes the idea, strength to carry this out, and trusting the Holy Spirit...to make it happen. And I need to work on thanking Him....for all He does for me....that to me would be a good start in "numbering my days".
{If anyone out there has some ideas...feel free to send them....I am sure I am like many, and can use the help.}
Sir Thomas Smith, secretary to Queen Elizabeth, once said only months before his death: "It is of great pity men know not to what end they born into this world...until they are ready to go out of it."
Saint Augustine (one of my favorites) once wrote: " We can only apply our hearts to His Wisdom...when we consider everyday as our last. Many consider that "final day" as an evil day, for they refuse even at the last to leave this life as they know it...when earth is about to take leave of them."
"Teach us Lord...to live right....to live well...to make good use of the time we have while we are here on the earth.
If we can find a way to do this, then our hearts will have the capability to: "Think the way You think!"
It's interesting that here in this verse, how we think...comes from the heart. Jewish belief rationalized that our thoughts originate...from our hearts...instead of our heads. It's referred to as a "Jewish idiom". Another Jewish belief was...they thought love originated from your...stomach. Hmmm? Puts a little different perspective on the phrase "gut feelin'". (So, next time you go out on a first date, and your "gut tells you" this guy or girl is a "selfish idiot", maybe you should "put the brakes on...right then". lol)
Actually, this verse out of Psalm 90 are words spoken by Moses. It doesn't mean he wrote this Psalm, although some think he might have, still others conclude it was written centuries later.
The thing about Moses is: this guy had been schooled and quite learned in all the sciences of the Egyptians...when Egypt was "The prominent nation in the world". Moses had access to the latest technology, state of the art tools, and taught by brilliant minds of that day.
Yet, here in this Psalm, Moses announces a specific request. He didn't ask for prosperity, he didn't ask for good health, he didn't even ask for guidance. Instead, he asked God to "teach us to number our days". He shifted all the responsibility of our "fate in life" from totally being God's sovernity in our lives with comments like : "Well, it must have been God's Will", or "Whatever happens...happens" to : "God, teach us how to know some of this...I want to think about life the way You think about it."
Job had once stated: "Look, You have an exact idea on the number of days we have here on earth...I need to learn of You about this...so life can make a little more sense to me."
King David concluded in Psalm 39:5 "Look, my lifespan is no longer than the "width of my hand", in fact my entire life is but...a moment to You. Even when man is "at his best", "the best "...is but one breath to You...and it still can be nothing more than vanity."
So...is there something to how we spend and use our time? I think so....
An Italian philosopher expressed his thoughts on the "numbering our days" that Moses had requested...like this: "Time is like owning this large estate. Without proper cultivation, quality pay for the type of laborers you might need to assist, and general plans and updates to fulfil your most extensive desires, you will be in an endless spin with no idea what to do next. Without all these "valuable tools", the estate will suffer from negligence, overrun with weeds, and will be an "eyesore" to those who pass by."
Number our Days????...what is Moses talkin' about?
Ok, check this out...Moses had led the Israelites across the deserts which end up being a 40 year journey... right? (Research says the walking journey from Egypt to the entrance of the Promised Land can actually be done...in 11 days.)
Thousands of graves had been strewn across this desert journey, and Moses himself was one of the last survivors of those who had started (when they crossed the Red Sea).
The saddest part of the entire journey had to be the fact the graves had come as a result of the people themselves. Now, I am in no way saying that calamities are always a result of being in rebellion against God....because the Scriptures are also full of stories of those who gave their hearts to Him...and suffered terribly in this life. What I am saying that in regards to Moses, he knew this entire journey was marred by those who turned...against the Lord...to the point of refusing to have anything to do with Him, and choosing a different course to help them get out of the "dilemma" they were in.
Moses seemed to be taking an "inventory"...the sin...the sorrow...the temptations...and was wondering how this journey really made sense.
Moses seemed to conclude his thoughts with this...he needed more....he needed to find a way to draw closer to God...closer than even Commandments carved in stone. He needed more than seeing God as a fiery bush...he need to get "inside God", or else "God get inside" him. Moses desired at that point of his life....to think...think...think the way God thinks. Thus, verse 12 says "Teach us to number our days...so we can think life through...together."
So...what does Moses mean to "number our days?"
I don't think it has any to do with mathematics. Moses had learned that when he was young in the courts of the Egyptians. I think what he was leaning toward was...time. Moses wanted...Moses needed the time...with the Lord. That, in my humble opinion is what the "numbering our days thing" is about.
So, how do we do that today..."number our days"? I personally think it starts with an idea like : "Ok, today I am going to take a verse of the Sacred Scripture...keep it in my mind (or heart as the Jewish custom had been)...and see if I can make it work. For example, maybe I need some more understanding when dealing with others at my workplace....instead of dismissing someone as "an idiot"..., maybe reaching out a little and ask a question about them (man, just writing this idea is tough lol).
Yet, I also know I can't do this alone. I need to say a few prayers to God,...maybe first to see if He likes the idea, strength to carry this out, and trusting the Holy Spirit...to make it happen. And I need to work on thanking Him....for all He does for me....that to me would be a good start in "numbering my days".
{If anyone out there has some ideas...feel free to send them....I am sure I am like many, and can use the help.}
Sir Thomas Smith, secretary to Queen Elizabeth, once said only months before his death: "It is of great pity men know not to what end they born into this world...until they are ready to go out of it."
Saint Augustine (one of my favorites) once wrote: " We can only apply our hearts to His Wisdom...when we consider everyday as our last. Many consider that "final day" as an evil day, for they refuse even at the last to leave this life as they know it...when earth is about to take leave of them."
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