Title of the sermon:- "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
What does this prayer of Moses mean?
Who is to teach us?.
God himself will teach us to number our days through the Holy Spirit.
To teach is to guide; to show and to cause us to know how to number our days.
To number is to count; and to apply is to put to use what we are taught by the Lord.
Our heart could mean our Spirit, our emotions or being.
While in this context wisdom is knowing and having discernment, so that we can use and apply the truth of the word of God being taught, on time and at the right time, in the right way with the right motive .
To number our days, we need God to reveal to us the brevity of life and that revelation will help us to be conscious of how short our sojourn on earth is, and the certainty that it will come to and end. It will make us appreciate how few and brief our days are. Therefore it requires us to make the best use of our God given time on earth by spending it wisely and purposefully to the glory of God and to the benefit of humanity. Not just to pass through life without making positive impact maximally. We are to spend each day judiciously and be committed to doing more for the kingdom of God. God calls us to use every moment of every day to honour him. To live each day as if it is the last because no one knows when God will request for the soul.
Applying our heart to wisdom will help us to make choices that will make our stay on earth have eternal value. By seeking the kingdom of God first, seeking the way of salvation, making Jesus our Lord and saviour, living for him and occupying ourselves meaningfully for his glory and be well prepared for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Fear the Lord and walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise and redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Eph 5:15-16.
Also, it entails using our time, talent and treasure wisely to the glory of God and to the service of humanity.
Brethren, the lesson here is that we should be aware of how short our stay on earth is and learn to spend each day wisely. To have a divine vision and work towards it without delay.
On the other hand, those who have learnt to number their days spend them in pursuit of wisdom, goodness, storing their treasure in heaven, Matt 6:20, seeking the kingdom of God and seeing each day as a gift from God and awaiting the second coming of Christ.
Brethren, you are admonished to live each day to the glory of God, pursue virtues that have eternal significance. Use your time, talent and treasures wisely and meaningfully .
No wonder David said in Ps: 39:4"Show me, LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is."
David was conscious of the shortness of life on earth and prayed God to show him. No wonder he committed himself to writing half of the book of Psalms in the Bible which up till date many are reading.
Brethren, don't just heap up wealth, for you won't know whose it will finally be.Ps39:6. Better use it for the expansion of God's kingdom on earth in various ways, and for the good and development of humanity. Store up your treasure in heaven by giving to the poor, by helping others and making sacrifices for the comfort of others in need. Lk12:33. Look after the orphans and widows in their distress and keep yourself from being polluted by the world. Jam1:27.And most importantly guard your salvation with fear and trembling for your soul can be required any time and none of your possessions will go with you.
Finally, I admonish you to imbibe whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,whatsoever things are just,whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, - think on these things. Phi 4:8. Also for your sojourn on earth to have eternal value you have to imbibe holiness for without it you can not see God. Again, guard your salvation with fear and trembling as you await the second coming of Christ. May good report be made of you.
Prayer-
May the Lord Almighty teach you to number your days and apply your heart unto wisdom and grant you the grace to evaluate your life and spend each day wisely.
In Jesus's Name, Amen.
