The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. (Psalm 90:10)

All of our days have been determined — at least that is what I believe. However, it also seems possible that, depending upon our attitude and actions, our days may be prolonged or they might be shortened. Obviously, if we live foolishly and recklessly, an early demise is more likely than not. On the other hand, if we take care of ourselves physically and spiritually, who is to say that we don’t extend the days God first granted us? There is, in fact, an example in the Bible when a man was granted an extension to his life; when King Hezekiah cried out to the Lord for mercy, God added fifteen years of life.

The point I wish to make is not necessarily how to extend our years but to make certain we make the most of them. Every day is a gift from God and it is, therefore, our duty and obligation to fill each day of life with service to His purposes. Each day spent in service to the Almighty adds to our spiritual growth and maturity, meaning we have more of an impact on those around us and, God willing, to future generations. Furthermore, the person whose days are spent in this manner won’t have to look back on their life with regret and sorrow when it comes their time to fly away. 

Unfortunately, there are people in this world who look at the brevity of life as provocation to live it up — to “eat, drink and be merry.” But I am of the opinion that most who do so will find that, when it is their time to fly away, they will do so with many regrets. Days spent in disobedience and self indulgence become years of loss — time that has slipped away with nothing meaningful to show for it. This is the life of which it is written: “their boast is only labor and sorrow.”

So, let us not consider a day to be something dedicated to our will but an opportunity to do the will of the One who granted us the day. If we do, ours is not a life defined only by by toil and sorrow but a life filled with victory, faith and hope for the future — both in this life and the world to come.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill 

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