"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." — Psalm 39:4
Here is a simple, but profound prayer that every believer would do well to echo from the heart. It deals with destiny, dimension and dependence. Fortunate indeed is the soul who discovers these from a spiritual perspective.
Destiny: "Lord, make me to know mine end… " It is not how the race of life is run, but how it is finished, that matters most. From the standpoint of divine revelation, there are but two possible answers to this query. One's "end," no matter whether life is 'good" or evil, is either heaven or hell, and the difference is determined solely by one's relationship to Jesus Christ. "He that hath the son hath life, and he that hath not the son of God hath not life [I John 5:12]." Nothing could be simpler, clearer, more uncompromising that this. And aside from this not much else really matters.
Dimension: "… the measure of my days… " It is a wise thing to reflect upon the brevity of life, especially over against the concept of eternity. What happens here is of relatively little significance; what happens there is of paramount importance. We have but a short time to address the issue of our eternal destiny. "Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not [Job 14:1-2]."
Not only is life short, it is woefully uncertain. We have no claim on the future as far as our present life is concerned. Illness, accident, natural disasters—all loom like clouds on the horizon of life, capable of bringing uis abruptly and without notice to our "end." Conversing this week with my daughter, and recovery room nurse, I remarked about the uncertainties of "old age." She quickly responded, "Dad, you don't have to be old… ," and went on to tell of two patients under her care of late, one a twenty-three year old male, the other a twenty-nine year old female, stricken with life threatening disease. Illustrations to the point can be readily multiplied. We all know this, yet most of us live as though we had a firm grip on tomorrow.
Dependence: "… that I may know how frail I am." It is only in the measure that we recognize that our destiny does not lie here, and that the only time we have to settle it is now, that we will begin to live wisely. The natural man prides himself in his strength and self-sufficiency. The wise man recognizes his frailty and need for something — Someone— beyond himself to provide reinforcement for his woeful inadequacy.
The writer to the Hebrews, reviewing the hall of fame of the faithful, notes some who "out of weakness were made strong [Heb. 11:34c]." The apostle Paul declared, "When I am weak, then am I strong [II Cor. 12:10]," and observes even of Christ, "… He was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God [II Cor. 123:4]." Finally the principle is developed, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence [I Cor. 1:26-29]."
The Savior said, "Without Me ye can do nothing (cf. John 15:5)." The implication is that whatever we accomplish apart from dependence upon Him amounts to "nothing" where the real scores are kept. If and when we realize our frailty, that we are weak to the point of impotence, we may be ready to cast ourselves upon the resources of the One who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think [Eph. 3:20]." In a wonderful counterpoint, the apostle declares, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me [Phil. 4:13]."
Nothing without Him; all things through Him. Thus, and thus only, is God glorified in us.
For God's glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
Here is a simple, but profound prayer that every believer would do well to echo from the heart. It deals with destiny, dimension and dependence. Fortunate indeed is the soul who discovers these from a spiritual perspective.
Destiny: "Lord, make me to know mine end… " It is not how the race of life is run, but how it is finished, that matters most. From the standpoint of divine revelation, there are but two possible answers to this query. One's "end," no matter whether life is 'good" or evil, is either heaven or hell, and the difference is determined solely by one's relationship to Jesus Christ. "He that hath the son hath life, and he that hath not the son of God hath not life [I John 5:12]." Nothing could be simpler, clearer, more uncompromising that this. And aside from this not much else really matters.
Dimension: "… the measure of my days… " It is a wise thing to reflect upon the brevity of life, especially over against the concept of eternity. What happens here is of relatively little significance; what happens there is of paramount importance. We have but a short time to address the issue of our eternal destiny. "Man that is born of woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not [Job 14:1-2]."
Not only is life short, it is woefully uncertain. We have no claim on the future as far as our present life is concerned. Illness, accident, natural disasters—all loom like clouds on the horizon of life, capable of bringing uis abruptly and without notice to our "end." Conversing this week with my daughter, and recovery room nurse, I remarked about the uncertainties of "old age." She quickly responded, "Dad, you don't have to be old… ," and went on to tell of two patients under her care of late, one a twenty-three year old male, the other a twenty-nine year old female, stricken with life threatening disease. Illustrations to the point can be readily multiplied. We all know this, yet most of us live as though we had a firm grip on tomorrow.
Dependence: "… that I may know how frail I am." It is only in the measure that we recognize that our destiny does not lie here, and that the only time we have to settle it is now, that we will begin to live wisely. The natural man prides himself in his strength and self-sufficiency. The wise man recognizes his frailty and need for something — Someone— beyond himself to provide reinforcement for his woeful inadequacy.
The writer to the Hebrews, reviewing the hall of fame of the faithful, notes some who "out of weakness were made strong [Heb. 11:34c]." The apostle Paul declared, "When I am weak, then am I strong [II Cor. 12:10]," and observes even of Christ, "… He was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God [II Cor. 123:4]." Finally the principle is developed, "For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence [I Cor. 1:26-29]."
The Savior said, "Without Me ye can do nothing (cf. John 15:5)." The implication is that whatever we accomplish apart from dependence upon Him amounts to "nothing" where the real scores are kept. If and when we realize our frailty, that we are weak to the point of impotence, we may be ready to cast ourselves upon the resources of the One who is "able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think [Eph. 3:20]." In a wonderful counterpoint, the apostle declares, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me [Phil. 4:13]."
Nothing without Him; all things through Him. Thus, and thus only, is God glorified in us.
For God's glory and our good,
"Pastor" Frasier
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