Through the Bible: PsalmsSample

Hope in God

Lord, make me know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreaths, and my age is nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but a vapor. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. (Psalm 39: 4-6 NKJV)

Recently my mentor passed away at 69. This man of God touched so many lives, including mine. Like others, I asked why he was taken away so early.

Turning to Scripture, I found great wisdom in this humble prayer of King David in Psalm 39. He asked God for wisdom to understand the shortness and frailty of life. The length of life is not so important. What is key is whether our lives, however long or short, honour God and bring Him glory. 

Lord, help us to understand, not just in our head but also in our heart, that every person is merely a vapor. Help us not to walk like a shadow, living life with no substance, working hard to heap up riches, being busy but in vain, blind to eternal things. Help us to realize that the only real meaning of our existence is our relationship with You, our eternal God.

Prayer

Lord, help me to prepare better for life beyond this life. Help me not to exist in vanity because my projects and plans will pass away. Help me to put my expectation and hope in You, and not in myself. Help me to continually work at being in right standing with You. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.