When King David provided a description of our lives as fleeting, I was not prepared for how short that would be…as short as a breath!

If we think about this (selah) and truly ponder what that means, I believe that God will grant us a heart of wisdom. This was noted in a Psalm of Moses.

Psalm 90:12[12] So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

When I am mindful of my breathing 😮‍💨, I can feel the turbulence on the exhale. Is this exemplary of the turmoil within the sin nature?

Am I able to extend my life through the pursuit of hard work (in order to gain wealth)? More importantly, am I able to see the beauty of God’s hand of discipline on me (molding me into His gracious heart and valuing what He values)?

Whether my life is short or long by earthly standards, in the heavenly realm it is merely a moment (or a breath).

Your presence, Lord, brings hope and deliverance from all transgressions. You make us wise in the midst of worldly woes, since we are sojourning here as a guest.

Lord, please make my life count for you.- Teresa #myheartyourhome

Psalm 39English Standard Version

What Is the Measure of My Days?

To the choirmaster: to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David.

39 I said, “I will guard my ways,
    that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
    so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
² I was mute and silent;
    I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
³     My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

⁴ “O Lord, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
⁵ Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
    and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
⁶     Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing^[a] they are in turmoil;
    man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!

⁷ “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
    My hope is in you.
⁸ Deliver me from all my transgressions.
    Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
⁹ I am mute; I do not open my mouth,
    for it is you who have done it.
¹⁰ Remove your stroke from me;
    I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
¹¹ When you discipline a man
    with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
    surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah

¹² “Hear my prayer, O Lord,
    and give ear to my cry;
    hold not your peace at my tears!
For I am a sojourner with you,
    a guest, like all my fathers.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may smile again,
    before I depart and am no more!”

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Footnotes

1. Psalm 39:6 Hebrew Surely as a breath