Daily Devotional

Growing up, I often thought about my own mortality. Even now, at 28 years old, I find myself thinking about how quickly time passes. In May 2027, it will have been ten years since I graduated from high school. It's hard to believe how quickly life keeps moving!

One of my favorite Switchfoot songs growing up was Gone. In the song, lead singer Jon Foreman reflects on how quickly our days pass and challenges listeners to consider what really matters in life.

I've even noticed how quickly time has passed during my time at Campus Bible Church. It's hard to believe I've already been on staff for about ten months! As I reflect on the passing of time, I'm reminded that Scripture, the ultimate authority for our lives, gives us wisdom about how we should live the days God has given us.

Psalm 90 marks an interesting beginning to Book Four of the Psalms. Throughout Book Three, we encounter difficult questions about suffering, God's apparent absence, and the hardships His people experience. Then, in Psalm 90, Moses draws our attention to something every human being must confront: the brevity of life.

Psalm 90:10 says:
“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” (ESV)

Moses reminds us that our lives are short and often filled with hardship. No matter how long we live, our days on this earth are limited.

That might sound discouraging, but I believe there is great wisdom and hope in recognizing the brevity of our lives. When we understand that our days are numbered, we can begin to see each day as a gift from God.

Numbering our days isn't simply about recognizing that life is short. It's about learning to live wisely, trusting God with the time He has given us.

One of the most encouraging truths of Scripture is that God is at work in the lives of His people, even when we cannot see what He is doing.

Romans 8:28–29 reminds us that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. That good is ultimately connected to our becoming more like Jesus Christ.

God uses both the highs and lows of our lives to shape us into the image of His Son.

Sometimes, though, we expect that if we're following Jesus faithfully and avoiding obvious sin, our lives should be relatively free from hardship. But Scripture never promises us a life without suffering.

Consider Jesus Himself. Jesus lived a perfectly sinless life, yet He experienced rejection, isolation, sorrow, and suffering. He understands what it means to walk through hardship.

Our circumstances may change, but God's character never does.

One thing I appreciate most about the Psalms is their honesty. The writers don't pretend that life is always easy. express sorrow, frustration, fear, and even questions about God's apparent absence.

Yet time and time again, the Psalms call God's people to remember His faithfulness.

I believe one of the clearest signs of spiritual maturity is learning to trust God even when our feelings tell us otherwise. This doesn't mean our feelings are unimportant. Instead, our confidence in God's goodness must rest on His character and promises, not our changing emotions.

So, let me leave you with this encouragement.

If you're in a season where you can clearly see God's goodness and feel His presence, praise Him!

But if you're in a season where God feels distant, where life is difficult, or where you're struggling to understand what He's doing, I want to encourage you to keep trusting Him.
Our days may be numbered, but our God is eternal.

May we learn to number our days, not with fear of how quickly time passes, but with hearts of wisdom that trust the God who holds every one of them.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.