Reflections
Psalm 90: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17 (Read)
“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 7:7-9), 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 this Sunday's first 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 4:12)
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.
If we want to learn true wisdom, we must pray for Divine instruction, we must beg to be taught by the Holy Spirit. We need to pray for the mercy of God, Let the grace of God in us produce the light of good works. And let Divine consolations put gladness into our hearts.
ReplyDeleteInstead of wasting our precious, fleeting days in pursuing fancies, which leave the possessors forever poor, let us seek the forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance in heaven. Let us pray that the work of the Holy Spirit may appear in converting our hearts, and that the beauty of holiness may be seen in our conduct. Amen
In order to be taught by the Word I must decrease for the Lord to increase within me. It is to allow myself to be born again in spirit and to have the mind of a child who is totally open to receive the Word. Then wisdom, kindness and prosperity will have a home within my walls.
ReplyDeleteGodly wisdom means to me, not only knowing what is right, but doing what is right. There needs to be obedience that follows the acquisition of knowledge. I can attend all of the Bible Studies and lectures that I want to, in order to gain knowledge. However, without an application of the righteous knowledge, it's not wisdom. The Word of God has not taken root in my heart.
ReplyDeleteHow does God's Word take root? Slowing down. Spending time with God. Being filled and re-filled with His Spirit. There's no other way. There's an emptiness that seeps in when I run around, engaged in activities that I believe to be positive and important. Sorry... that would be worldly wisdom only.
When I operate with "wisdom of heart," I am joyful and energized. The inner peace radiates and leaves no room for dread or spiritual dryness. True wisdom discerns for me that I need more quiet time with my Lord. Daily. And I can then aim not only to "not offend the Lord," but delight in Him. After all, another favorite Psalm verse says, "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10). Amen
Scripture teaches us that the Word will give us a correct view of life, because, "The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword." Teach me to number my days aright like Solomon did. I gain the wisdom of heart and the wisdom of God. This is followed by the favor of God.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all my days on earth are limited and numbered. I must spend the time wisely by doing the Lord's will. But most of us are attached to worldly things and material wealth. Because of this my heart became dull with no clear discernment; I am not able to see things right. My vision is clouded without God's Wisdom. I am sinning against God with or without any knowledge of it.
My first priorities are to ask God to bless me with the wisdom to discern a correct view of life so that I can sin no more. May the favor of the Lord rest upon me. And so with a willing heart I can serve Him and do his will without wasting my precious time while on earth.