Scripture:
Job 14:1-5 ESV
[1] “Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. [2] He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. [3] And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you? [4] Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one. [5] Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he can not pass,
Observation:
In verse 1 Job is making sure that we know that life is short, and it’s not always going to be easy. In verse 2, I see him remembering back to when his children were born and thinking about the joy that brought. Then flashing forward and thinking it all comes to an end at some point. I see verses 3-4 as an acknowledgment and understanding that all this is in GOD’S hands. HE not only determines how much time we get on earth, but HE judges how wisely we used that time. What did we do with Jesus once we came to knowledge of HIM? Verse 5 brings us to the real point of all this GOD set the number of days we have to live. And no matter how hard we try when HE says we are done ……guess what……we are done.
Application:
What are we doing with the life we are given? If we knew that we were going to be called to heaven in three months, would we live differently, or another question do we know where we would go if we died today? All this comes back to our choice. Do you know the one who makes clean out of the unclean, and if you do, what are you doing with that knowledge? Do you keep it to yourself? Or do you shout it from the rooftops? Life is short, and we never know how much time we have, but honestly, it’s what we do with that time that matters. I saw a movie a while back named “I Still Believe.” It was the story of Jeremy Camp. A heart-reaching story about his journey and how his wife was called to heaven. She was very young. However, the impact she made on him was substantial enough to keep him singing about Jesus still to this day. She didn’t get to see all of the fruit she planted, but she still sowed it. My question is, what are you doing with what GOD gave you? Are you digging a hole and placing it there for safekeeping, or do you use it to build the kingdom? I know it seems like I have gotten off base here, but I’m not sure about that. GOD has given you an amount of time. You don’t know how much time that is, nor do I, but I want to use the time I have to build the kingdom. My true heart’s desire is to hear seven words on that day, and honestly, I hope you hear them as well….. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Prayer:
Father, teach us to number our days. We have no idea how long we have, but let us use the time you give us wisely, show us how to use what you have given us to build your kingdom. Give us boldness to shout it from the rooftops. Jesus Christ is LORD. Give us the words to say that would win souls for your glory. What you say at the end of our lives is all that matters, and we know from your word it will be one of 2 things…… well done ……or depart. Let us hear the first one, Father. We know that what we do will not earn our spot, but you have saved us for good works that you have prepared for us since the beginning of time. Let us see those to move swiftly to accomplish them in the mighty name of Jesus. I pray, amen.