Reflections
Psalm 90: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17“Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain wisdom of heart.”
The Psalm reminds us that man’s
days are numbered, and that
we should use our time wisely,
making our days and our life
count for something. And how
do we do that? We do it by being
open to the wisdom of God.
Just as Solomon preferred the
gift of wisdom over material wealth
(Wisdom, 1st reading), so too
do we see the advantage of using
our time wisely by doing the Lord's will.
Although we may never receive
the wisdom of Solomon that
our 1st reading talks about,
we can hope for some ability
to be detached from worldly things,
which can separate us from God.
How do we do this? Where does
the ability come from, to cut through
all our present day concerns?
It comes from the Word –
“The Word of God is ... sharper
than any two-edged sword,
penetrating even between soul
and spirit, joints and marrow ….”
(Hebrews, 2nd reading).
Scripture teaches us that the Word
will give us a correct view of life,
and this will allow us to have
a right relationship with the Lord.
Having got that right, we may
receive the favor of the Lord
and be counted among his sheep.
As the Psalm says, “May the favor
of the Lord our God be ours.”
How much better will our lives be
if we may sing for joy, as the psalmist
says, and be filled at daybreak
with the love of the Lord.
And having received God’s favor,
we will want to be His servants
and do His work. We will become
laborers in the field where the
harvest is plentiful. And as the
Psalm says, “The work of our hands
will prosper.”
Amen
Discussion Questions for Reflection
1. The Psalm speaks about using our time wisely.
Tell of how you set your priorities so that you are
serving God and doing His will.
2. Our psalmist talks of how we may gain 'wisdom of heart.'
Give an example of how you are receiving wisdom
to discern a correct view of life so that you will not offend the Lord.
God gives us "time" and it's important that we do not waste this gift. It is important that we use the gift of "time" wisely. It's important to place ourselves where we can commune with God......in a church, in nature, in a garden, wherever we feel relaxed/comfortable. It's important to be open in mind and spirit, to what God is telling us, and truly listen to the opinions of others for God may be using them to speak to us.
ReplyDeletel. The Psalms and Proverbs say that wisdom is the beginning of knowledge of God, fear of God, and good discernment. I thought wisdom is a gift of God. But wisdom can be taught by God by worshiping Him and having reverence toward Him. If I seek the wisdom of God by reading the Bible, praying and crying out, Wisdom will enter my heart, and Knowledge will make me wise, Discretion will protect me, and Understanding will guard me. Like Solomon, everything will follow wisdom. I'll be prosperous due to God's favor, and I'll be blessed both materially and spiritually, because His wisdom leads me in the right direction of my life, and to have a right relationship with Him. And also I can use my time wisely by doing the Lord's Will. In this way I will be able to avoid offending the Lord. Having wisdom is very important and a vital necessity in my life, to live my time wisely since our time on earth is limited and numbered.
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