Psalm 39, study conclusion

There's no need to be morbid, but sometimes it is helpful to think about the question . . . . what if this were my last year on earth? What if I knew that? How would I live differently than I have lived before?

Our theme for the past two weeks has come from Psalm 39. We could paraphrase it as "life is short!" And, "make it count for eternity!"

The only way to do that, is to trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior - and live each day for Him. So, how can we live "differently," with this knowledge that life is short . . . .

Pulling from our posts recently, have we asked ourselves "what am I hoping in?" What are we counting on for our happiness and fulfillment? Are we putting all of our hope in a happy marriage? In our kids or grandkids, and how "well" they turn out? Are we perhaps putting our hope in our retirement plans and our financial stability? All of these have their place; they are all significant and need our attention; but they should not have first place in our hopes. Only the Lord will satisfy. We must put our hope in Him.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (I Timothy 6:17)

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. (I Timothy 4:10)

Another way to live differently from the world is to ask ourselves, "what are we seeking in life?"  If someone asked us, what would we say our ultimate goal was? Happiness? Comfort? Love? Peace? All of these are wonderful, but they don't come from running after them -- instead, they come from seeking the Lord. We must thirst and hunger after His righteousness to be seen in our lives.

Sow righteousness for yourselves,
    reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
    for it is time to seek the Lord,
until he comes
    and showers his righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Lastly, if we remember our lives are short, and we want to live "differently," we will be careful of how we respond to God's discipline in our lives. Trials and obstacles will come . . . . We will not be defiant or complain too much - we'll remember that unbelievers either do or don't see Jesus when they look at us! We won't shake our fist in the air. We won't get mad and sad and turn our backs on God - and turn toward the world. We'll pray to our loving Savior, and ask Him to teach us in our trials. We will find that we are living differently and that we are becoming more like Him.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:10-11)

Life is short - let's be living our lives for Him!