THE RIGHT USE OF TIME

PSALMS 90:1

A. "SO TEACH US TO NUMBER OUR DAYS THAT WE MAY GET US AN HEART OF WISDOM"
  1. "This Psalm", says Isaac Taylor, "May be cited as perhaps the most sublime of human compositions, the deepest in feeling, the loftiest in conception, the most magnificent in its imagery"
    1. It numbers sadly the days and visitations of human life
    2. But it does this, not for the sake of mere sentiment, but rather for practical reasons
  2. The practical reasons are most obvious:
    1. To find a better motive for life
    2. To use everyday of our life to make it beneficial to God and man B. THE FIRST THING IN THE NUMBERING OUR DAYS IS TO SEE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT END IN VIEW
  3. Wisdom:
    1. Wisdom is not money or material wealth; that is where the young ruler made a fatal mistake - Matt. 19:16-20
    2. The parable of the rich farmer is conclusive proof that money is not the wisdom we need - Luke 12:16-20
    3. Wisdom is not pleasure - this does not mean that we should not seek happiness - not at all; but it has reference to the pleasures of sin which last a short while only - I John 2:1-16; Heb. 11:24-25
  4. The true and wise end of life must include:
    1. The fear of the Lord - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" - Ps. 111:10; Prov. 9:10
    2. "Fear the Lord and walk in His ways" - Deut. 10:12
    3. "Fear the Lord and depart from evil" - Prov. 3:7
  5. There must be also a serious determination to make progress:
    1. "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the price of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" - Phil. 3:13-14
    2. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence..." - Phil. 2:12-13
    3. We must look ahead and keep our eyes fixed on things heavenly - 2 Pet. 3:13-14 C. THE RIGHT USE OF TIME
  6. This is, perhaps, the most difficult thing for us to do:
    1. We are daily encumbered with the cares of life and these seems to occupy our mind and our energies
    2. Each day seems to have a new challenge for us to meet
    3. It is very difficult to know what should be our first and greatest concern
    4. Our Saviour foresaw the difficulty of coping with the cares of life, and He warns us - Luke 21:34-35
  7. A few suggestions:
    1. Begin the day with the Lord - that is what Daniel, David and other saints have done - Dan. 6:10; Ps. 55:17
    2. Said David, "Early will I seek thee" - Ps. 63:1
    3. Have your family worship; study your Bible and seek the Lord in prayer - Job 1:1-3
    4. Examine your daily life in the light of the word of God and when you find that your life does not harmonize with the word, make adjustment
    5. Be sure that your sin is under the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord - I Pet. 1:18-19
    6. If you have to make things right with men do not delay to do that
    7. Commit your way unto the Lord and trust Him, He will take care of the rest
  8. There is no need to worry about the end:
    1. Our time is in the hand of the Lord
    2. He will do what is best for us and for His cause
    3. It is wonderful when we trust the Lord, who has cared for us for so many years and He will see us through
    4. Our main concern must ever be that our relationship with the Lord shall never be broken
    5. Do good everyday; be of some help to the people that need our help
    6. Paul gives this wonderful assurance, "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" - Phil. 4:19


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