4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—
how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
at best, each of us is but a breath.” (Interlude)
6 We are merely moving shadows,
and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
not knowing who will spend it.
7 And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:4-7)
There are many of these Ecclesiastes style comments in Scripture. These ideas of self regulation – reminders of who we truly are – are here to level our arrogance and align our soul to what is important, or rather who is important. There is a deep ache in these statements that take the form of purpose questions. Am I doing enough? Am I wasting my life? Many of us put these questions aside for we are scared what the answer may be. The world’s response to this are found to be lacking. Carpe Diem is only but a start. I don’t know anyone who can sustain that life for any extended period of time. And this is why verse 7 is important. In this we have the full picture. Our defeat is turned to victory as we set our eyes above our moving shadow to our only true hope. The Psalmist is longing for something more – something above the brief chaos of life. His answer is hope.
It is in our Christ we find an escape. Suddenly the days have aim and the nights have comfort. Our lives are still measured in brief handfuls, but we are no longer alone nor defeated. What a God we serve who sends His son into the same cycle of life as His children, and lets Him suffer with them, making an unbreakable connection.
Yes, your days are short. Yes, you are probably not living life to the fullest. And yes, you will continue to ache for more. But be comforted saint of Christ, you are purchased at a great price and your buyer will not stop offering waves of hope to shatter the monotony of a broken life. His breath is hope and His movement is grace. You are redeemed from the wealth and ways of a shallow life and given something deeper; something real.
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
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