March 18
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WHAT IS THE MEASURE OF MY DAYS?
I said, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent; I held my peace to no avail, and my distress grew worse.
3 My heart became hot within me. As I mused, the fire burned;
Then I spoke with my tongue: 4 “O LORD, make me know my end
And what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
And my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely, all mankind stands as a mere breath!
6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil;
Man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool!
9 I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it.
10 Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand.
11 When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin,
You consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath!
-Psalm 39:1-11
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The ESV study bible notes describes this psalm as something that allows those who are suffering to express their confusion to God. David acknowledges the importance of keeping himself out of sin. As he confesses to God his view of man without God’s presence, we see how he realizes how fleeting this life we live on earth is. He asks God to discipline him and rebuke his sins for we are all nothing without our creator.
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ADORATION: Praise the God who created all things and knows everything about us.
CONFESSION: Forgive me Lord, when I take for granted the life you gave me.
THANKSGIVING: Thank you for disciplining me so I can live the new life in Christ that you gave me.
SUPPLICATION: May all Christians recognize the fleeting moments we have in this life.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we need to be reminded that life is like a mist, it is here now and gone the next moment? What would this do to how we view life?