“Teach us to number our days,
that we may present to you
a heart of wisdom”
–Psalm 90:12 (NAS)
I did the math and numbered my days: over 24,000 so far. That means I’m well past the half-way point of the average earthly life. And such a sobering thought would surely weigh heavy on my mind, if I did not have heaven to look forward to.
But I’m certain Moses (the author of Psalm 90, above) wasn’t asking God for a multiplication lesson.
Perhaps in learning how to number his days Moses wanted to:
- make each day count by accomplishing worthwhile tasks, or
- live mindfully so steady growth and learning took place, or
- dedicate himself to the well-being of others, or
- look for God throughout each day, worshiping and praising, or
- revel in the positive instead of grovel in the negative.
Perhaps Moses was thinking of all those things.
According to two commentators, Numbering our days means: 1) living in such a way that each day has value, and 2) living intentionally in ways that bring glory to God and blessing to others.
Then notice what Moses indicates will happen when we live with those supreme purposes:
We’ll be able to present to God a heart of wisdom—a heart with “the ability to see life from God’s perspective, and then to know the best course of action to take” (p. 1055, Living Application Bible).
That seems to me a lovely gift to present to my Heavenly Father—accepting his perspective and acting upon it.
But learning to number our days and grow in wisdom are such abstract processes. It’s difficult to determine progress. So how might we know that we’re learning and growing? These ten questions may help; they’re based on the Book of Wisdom, Proverbs. Try answering in the context of the last ten—maybe even twenty—years:
- Am I more aware of God’s daily gifts and more grateful to him for these blessings (15:13)?
- Do my thoughts frequently turn to God during the day? Am I continually turning to him for guidance? (2:1-6)
- Do I express trust in God more often than worry about circumstances (3:5-6)?
- Am I pursuing biblical instruction (8:33-34a)?
- Do I take great pleasure in building up others (10:11)?
- Am I able to think before I speak (10:19b)?
- Do I give people the benefit of the doubt (19:11)?
- Am I becoming more patient and kind–especially toward challenging people (25:21-22)?
- Do I thoughtfully consider the advice of those who are knowledgeable and wise (19:20)?
- Am I able to do what’s right even when there’s no one around to notice (10:9)?
Scripture tells us that when Abraham died, he was “satisfied with life” (Genesis 25:8, NAS). Surely satisfaction with life includes the development of a heart of wisdom, which Abraham demonstrated by his life of faith–in spite of challenges, disappointments, and uncertainties.
But the pinnacle of satisfaction must have been presenting that heart of wisdom to God Almighty on the day he entered heaven’s gates.
My prayer is that I’ll be able to do the same.
You, too?
“What we weave in time
is what we’ll wear in eternity.”
– Mart DeHaan
(Photo and art credits: www.faithgateway.com; http://www.quotesgram.com; http://www.pinterest.com.)
From the Inside Out 
Love the 10 questions for evaluation! I need to print those out and use them more regularly…thanks for your great insight and practical Biblical direction!
Thank YOU for your encouragement, Lisa. Appreciate greatly when you can stop by!
Such a wonderful, thoughtful way for us to keep our heart and mind open to our Lord’s Divine Purpose in our lives. Thank you fro sharing!
Bernadette
Thank you, Bernadette. Praise God the post was meaningful to you!
Nancy, this is a perfect message to reflect upon at the beginning of a new year. Thank you for sharing it. Love you and Steve!
Thank you, Ruth. The “perfection” is from above (James 1:17)! Love to you, too, dear friend.
Nancy, I’m connected with another blogger online who’s doing a 52 weeks of wisdom study….Lord, how we need it. Thank you for the practical list (and a nudge to go read Psalm 90 for myself!)
The quote at the end was powerful, too.
52 weeks of wisdom study? That person will surely rival Solomon when he/she is done! And I agree: that Mart DeHaan quote does grab the attention. Thank you, Jody, for faithfully stopping by in spite of your hectic schedule. Praying you enjoy a most blessed Sabbath rest tomorrow!
I so appreciate the ten-question checklist, Nancy. And as Ruth Lott wrote…a great way to start a new year!
Thankful for your encouragement, Cheri, and God’s inspiration behind that list. I need to keep it handy myself and check my progress toward wisdom regularly!
LOVE your post, Nancy! I will have to agree with most comments about the list. Thanks for pointing us to wisdom and its pursuit … no matter how many days we have spent or left 🙂 Blessings to you!
Thank you, Heidi. I’m delighted you found the post meaningful. January is often the month for inventories. Numbering our days and checking our progress toward wisdom are worth analyzing, too, I think!
What an interesting quote: “What we weave in time
is what we’ll wear in eternity.”
– Mart DeHaan
and I didn’t remember that Abraham was satisfied. wow learned lots here tonight. When I read the Bible verse the heart of wisdom really jumped out at me so glad you addressed that too. good thoughts tonight
Thank you, Jean. I appreciate that DeHaan quote too, as it reminds me to keep eternity’s values in view. (Did you ever sing the chorus with those words when you were a child?)
Great 10 questions! I’m saving this post so I can write them down. Actually, maybe I’ll make them into a desktop! Thanks for the reminder to live mindfully, Nancy!
Thank you, Sheila! I’m honored that you found the ten questions meaningful. Praise God for his inspiration!
Nancy, I absolutely love these questions for self-evaluation. I printed them out to tuck into my Bible. Thank you for another excellent post!
Thank you, Rebeca. I’m honored and HUMBLED to know you considered this list worthy of tucking into your Bible. Again, I have to say, praise God! He is abundantly gracious.