From God’s View: A Reflection on Psalms 39:4-5
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“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered -how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” – Psalms 39:4-5 (NLT)
Life has a way of overwhelming us—piling on questions, uncertainties, and doubts. In those moments, we find ourselves yearning for answers, for perspective, and for reassurance. What a comfort to know that God is never intimidated by our questions or struggles. He invites us to bring our confusion, our fears, and even our doubts to Him.
Life Is Brief, But It Matters
In this psalm, David reflects on the fleeting nature of life. His words are not those of despair but of a deep, humbling awareness. He acknowledges how small we are in the grand scheme of things—our lives are no more than a breath, our days numbered like grains of sand.
This passage isn’t meant to diminish our significance but to give us perspective. It reminds us that while our time here is brief, it’s also purposeful. God doesn’t waste a single moment of the lives He’s given us.
God’s Eternal View
From God’s perspective, time is not measured as we see it. To Him, our lifetimes are but moments in eternity. While this could make us feel insignificant, it actually highlights how deeply God values each of us. The Creator of eternity chose to place you here, now, for a reason.
When life feels overwhelming, these verses serve as a reminder to pause and look at the bigger picture. Our struggles, though real and heavy, are temporary. Our purpose, though sometimes unclear, is divinely orchestrated.
An Invitation to Trust
David’s prayer is not just a statement about life’s brevity—it’s a plea for God to keep him grounded, humble, and focused. He’s asking God to remind him of what truly matters. This is an invitation for us to do the same.
- What are we holding onto that won’t last?
- Are we investing our time and energy in what truly matters to God?
- How can we trust God more with the fleeting moments we have?
God’s Reassuring Words
When we feel like life is too short, too uncertain, or too overwhelming, God’s eternal view reassures us. He reminds us that we are part of a bigger story—one where He is the author, and we can trust Him with every chapter.
Even in our questions, God meets us with answers that soothe the soul. Psalms 39:4-5 invites us to embrace humility, trust God’s plan, and live with intentionality. Our time may be brief, but when we live it with Him, it’s deeply meaningful.
So, let us ask God to teach us to number our days, not out of fear, but out of a desire to make them count—for His glory and our joy.
Dr. Sandra Callier
