Learning to number our days.

Psalm 90:12 says, So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. As we are quickly approaching the end of one year and the start of another, I was inspired to write a short series that will help us to pause for a moment so we can prepare for the year ahead. With each passing year, the words of this psalm resonate more and more with me. In this verse lies such a crucial prayer that has the power to change our outlook on our day to day lives. Why is it important to number our days? Because a wise heart is a heart that knows how to make each day count. I believe that if we take the time to reflect over our lives carefully, we will live more wisely as a result. It’s always appropriate to take a moment to allow God to speak to us so we can align our lives to His will, but there is never a more perfect moment to do that than as we prepare to turn the page of another year of our lives. So, how can we number our days in a practical way? By understanding that each day is of such a vital importance to our spiritual journey. In my own life, I am growing more and more aware of just how important it is to take time to draw near to God in prayer every morning before I begin my daily activities. This precious time with the Lord makes me value the day ahead but it also prepares my heart. Each day, we are called to surrender yet again to living a life of self-denial but how easily we can miss our calling if we don’t make it our daily pursuit. When we take time to think about our lives, we allow God to show us the areas of our lives that are in need of change. Bringing these areas to Him in prayer will place us in the position to receive His cleansing and the strength to walk a life worthy of the calling we have received. This early time of the day needs to also be bathed in Scripture. During my own devotional time, I’ve found that focusing on a single verse by reading it a few times and following a devotional that expands on that particular verse is something that helps me have the right perspective from the early hours of the morning. I prefer a single verse in the morning because I can meditate on it throughout the day until I do my Bible study later on. I have found that I am better prepared for the day ahead by taking time in the morning to turn my gaze on the Lord. John Bunyan wrote, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” If we don’t turn to God the first chance we get, we might not find another chance in our busy lifestyles. Looking back, the days when I failed to run to God before anything else were days of confusion and defeat but how much joy and victory I experienced when I sought Him first! How many days did you put God first this year? We learn to number our days by making it our priority to start each day with prayer. It’s what Jesus did! Will you be wiser next year?