24th. June. 2022.Daily Devotions.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Arriving in a foreign country without knowing your precise destination is complicated. In a time before the Internet was available everywhere, I once arrived in a large foreign city after losing the directions to my hotel. I asked several people for help in finding my way, but without the exact name of the hotel or street, they were unable to guide me. So, for a few long hours I experienced the feeling of being truly lost.

Often in life we think we are heading in the general direction of our goal, but still, we end up lost. Though we might start out well, we can quickly lose interest in seriously considering the next actions we must take.

In order not to lose track of where we are going and why we are going there, the psalmist encourages us to “number our days.” The writer is not talking about simple math—counting the number of days that we might potentially live. No one knows that but God himself. Rather, the psalmist wants us to realize that nothing in this life except living for God should be our goal, or the ultimate treasure we have in mind. Money, fame, possessions—none of that will last. As a popular saying goes, “When you die, you can’t take it with you.”

When we number each day with God as our focus and guide, we gain wisdom for this life and the life to come.

Almighty God, you are the source of all life. We know that each day of our lives is a gift from your hand. Help us live each day in the light of your Word. Amen.

Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Guidance

Gracious God, send your Holy Spirit to deepen my worship life.
Open my heart to the gifts and cultures which surround my church.
Open my heart to the people who are different from me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

We are moulded, each one of us, in the image of God, and within our souls there is a fingerprint none can erase. We pray for those who have no regard for anyone but self, who put no value on human life. For nations and individuals who abuse and kill. We are not called to be judge or jury, but we are called to be agents of change, so let our attitude to them be of love and compassion that reach into the hearts and souls of those for whom we pray and reveal to them how precious are those for whom they have no love, and how precious are they who now bring tears to the eyes of God. Amen. John Birch (edited).