Today’s Reading: Psalm 89:38-52

Remember how short my time is—for what vanity you have created all mortals!
Psalm 89:47

Wisdom comes from knowing what time it is. 

If you glanced at the clock on your computer, my guess is you’re no wiser than you were when you started reading this! Of course, this expression refers not to the specific time, but to something else. I picked up this expression from studying Ecclesiastes. I wish I could remember where it came from, but it summarizes one of the central points made in that book. 

When we consider the span of our lives, and consider that span in the grand scheme of eternity, our lives are very short indeed. The next Psalm, number 90, puts it this way, “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a wise heart. (Ps. 90:12) Here, the author asks God to remember how short his time his, how short his span of life is. 

We are wise to consider such things. In the grand scheme of our lives, what we think matters most on a day to day basis often matters very little. The things that demand the most attention are often of the least importance. The things that we can easily overlook, because they’re always present, like raising children, investing in significant relationships, spending time with God, are often of the most importance. 

Such a statement as the focus verse for today asks us to reprioritize: to put the most important things first, and leave the rest behind. It asks us to use strategy when thinking of our time: rather than reacting to whatever the day throws at us, organizing our time and effort and energy around those things that are of the greatest consequence. Then, we will gain a wise heart. 

Wisdom, indeed, comes from knowing what time it is.

Think
What time is it in my life? 

Pray
Ask God to help you see what is most important in your life, where God would have you spend your time and energy. 

Do
Make a list of your priorities and then, as you go through your day, see how that list compares to how you spend time. 

Think, Pray, Do. As we respond in faith to scripture, God moves in power through our minds, hearts, and bodies. We are the people of God. Thanks for reading today. Go in peace. Amen.

Think, Pray, Do devotionals by Ted Goshorn follow the suggested bible reading plan from his website and book, Prayer Changes Us. Find this Bible reading plan at tedgoshorn.org/biblereading. If you have found today’s devotion helpful, don’t forget to subscribe for daily emails at tedgoshorn.org and share with others that we may think, pray, and do faithfully.