May 11th~Collect and Die?

Psalms 39-41

Psalms 53, 55, 58

We read six more of David’s psalms. I particularly like Psalm 40 which includes a clear picture of salvation, “The Lord lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to God” (v.2, 3).

However, today I was struck by David’s frustration in Psalm 39, particularly his disappointment in the brevity of life. “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered and that my life is fleeing away. My life is no longer than the width of my hand. An entire lifetime is just a moment to You; human existence is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows...” (v.4-6).

He continued his disgust with the meaninglessness of his activities, “...All our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth for some- one else to spend” (v.6). David’s sentiments sound much like those of his son Solomon who wrote in Ecclesiastes, “I hated all the fruit of my labor which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me; and, who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor... This is vanity” (2:18, 19).

Two questions came to mind as I read these words. First, since life is short, and “all our busy rushing ends in nothing,” where are we to find hope? It makes no sense to put our hope in ourselves, other people, wealth, possessions, or in our activities, for all of these things are temporal, passing away. How can we find lasting hope in such transient things? David asked the same question, “So Lord, where do I put my hope?” He also found the right answer, “My only hope is in You” (v.7). It is the Lord, who is eternal and who is much bigger than our puny existence on earth, who provides us with direction, purpose, and salvation from this brief and troubled life.

The second question I found myself asking is how do I avoid wasting time and money?

The answer to this question is tied to the answer of the first question. Since God is the One who gives meaning and purpose to life, then He is also the One who gives meaning and purpose to my time and money. They are both on loan for me to use for Him. The collect-and-die mentality is not of God. He would rather we invest in and influence people on His behalf.

Daily Reflection

Evaluate your use of time. Are you using it for temporal or eternal purposes?

Evaluate your use of money. Are you using it for temporal or eternal purposes?

No matter how you have spent your time and money up to this point, you still have today. Choose to reject the lie of collect-and-die and rather invest and influence. Invest in God’s work and influence others on His behalf.

BiAY.org | Day 131 — 234 Days to Go