MAY 6
Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
Laura’s most recent visit to the oncologist brought sobering news: her cancer had spread to her liver. After sharing this update, the doctor gently asked if she wanted to continue treatment. I asked what would happen if she chose not to. His answer was direct—three to six months. And so, we find ourselves at a crossroads. Her cancer has always been terminal, yet God has already extended her life beyond what anyone expected. Still, the doctor’s words served as a stark reminder of how fragile and fleeting life truly is—a truth Psalm 90 communicates with deep clarity.
Psalm 90, attributed to Moses, is the oldest psalm in Scripture. It reflects on Israel’s wilderness journey after the exodus from Egypt—a season marked by God’s judgment and the harsh reality of human mortality. An entire generation died before entering the Promised Land. In this context, Moses meditates on the brevity of life and the weight of God’s eternal presence—truths that resonate deeply with what I’ve seen as a hospice chaplain.
Over the years, I’ve learned this: life is short, and death is certain—for all of us, unless Christ returns first. Psalm 90 doesn’t avoid this truth; instead, it invites us to embrace it with humility and hope. In verse 12, Moses prays, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” It’s a call to live from an eternal perspective.
True wisdom is applying knowledge to make sound decisions based on truth. A heart of wisdom recognizes that our time on earth is temporary, while eternity with God is forever. That understanding shapes how we live now. It calls us to make wise, holy choices in this life, with our eyes fixed not just on the here and now, but on the then and there—the reward of being with God forever.
“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” — Missionary C. T. Studd
Application Questions: How does recognizing the brevity of life influence the way you prioritize your time and your decisions today? What would it look like for you to live with a “heart of wisdom” in this season of your life, knowing that eternity is your ultimate home?
LookingtoJesus 