Numbering Our Days
Over the past few days, I’ve seen this particular Bible verse come up a lot. I don’t mind it—it’s one of my favorites. In fact, it hangs on the wall of my office:
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12
I love this verse, but I want to pause and break down two key pieces of it.
First: Numbering Our Days
When was the last time you actually numbered your days? I don’t mean figuratively, but literally. Let me give you an example.
I turned 41 years old in May. Today, I’m 41 years and 4 months old. Said another way, I’m 496 months old—or even further, 2,148 weeks old. Every single one of those weeks is behind me, already owned by death.
Of course, the time I have left is uncertain. None of us knows what tomorrow brings. But we can at least get an idea of what’s probable.
Based on 2023 data, the average life expectancy in the U.S. is 78.3 years. That’s about 4,071 weeks. So let’s do the math:
Total weeks: 4,071
Weeks lived: 2,148
Weeks remaining: about 1,923
Nineteen hundred weeks. Under two thousand.
Now, you might see that as depressing—or you might see it as motivating. I lean toward the latter. The weeks really do fly by. Knowing that our days are limited can either bring despair or light a fire. The truth is, we don’t have forever here on earth. This life is temporary, but it’s also purposeful. How we live now echoes into eternity.
Second: A Heart of Wisdom
The verse doesn’t say “so we may gain wisdom” as in more knowledge or clever insights. It says a heart of wisdom. That’s different.
How does my heart get wise? How does numbering my days affect my heart?
Here’s my opinion. A real, honest look at our time connects our hearts to our Heavenly Father. Our days are a gift. Each one unique. Each one filled with opportunity, struggle, joy, pain, celebration, blessing, and consequence. All of it allowed by God.
And yet, we often spend our time worrying, planning endlessly, or trying to control what we can’t. But life keeps slipping through our fingers. As Jesus said in Luke 12:25–26:
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
God is after our hearts. He wants us to see our lives for what they are: a gift, fleeting but full of beauty, meant to glorify Him. While we’re here, we have the choice—will we fully live for Him or not? If we do, we experience His fullness now and forever.
Today's Challenge - Number ‘em
So here’s my encouragement: pull out a calculator and number your days. Do the simple math. Let that number sink deep into your heart.
Then ask God what He wants you to do with the days you have left. Specifically this day. Let His Word guide you. Test your thoughts within Scripture to be sure it honors God. And see how He begins to shape your heart with wisdom for how to use your next opportunity.
Because our days are numbered—but in His hands, they are never wasted.
-Mark
