Moses lived 120 years. He witnessed the plagues of Egypt, the Passover, the parting of the Red Sea, and the wilderness journey of Israel. Yet as he looked back on his life, he realized that even 120 years was only a brief moment compared to God’s eternity. Psalm 90 is the only psalm written by Moses and the oldest psalm in Scripture. It is the heartfelt prayer of a servant who understood that life is short, God is eternal, and wisdom is the greatest treasure we can pursue.

PSALM 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of life and for every day You have entrusted to us. Teach us to number our days, because our time is short, but You are eternal. Give us humble and discerning hearts like Solomon, that we may seek Your wisdom rather than our own desires. Guide us through Your Word, shape our priorities, and help us live each day according to Your will. May our lives bring glory to You and bless others.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

PSALM 90

1. Whose counsel should we seek?

1 Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! 2 Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

Moses begins not by talking about man, but about God. Before mountains existed and before the world was formed, God already was. He is our dwelling place, our refuge, our security, and our comfort. Because God is eternal, His perspective is perfect. When we need direction for life, the wisest place to seek counsel is from the One who sees the beginning and the end.

5 You sweep people away like dreams that disappear. They are like grass that springs up in the morning. 6 In the morning it blooms and flourishes, but by evening it is dry and withered... 8 You spread out our sins before you—our secret sins—and you see them all.... 10 Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.

After declaring God’s greatness, Moses contrasts it with human frailty. Our bodies weaken, our years pass quickly, and our hidden sins are fully known by God. We are vulnerable, limited, and unable to control tomorrow. That is why we desperately need God’s wisdom rather than relying on our own understanding. His Word, the fellowship of godly believers, and seasons of prayer and fasting become channels through which His counsel shapes our lives.

2. Why pursue wisdom?

1 KINGS 3:10 It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing (wisdom). 11 God said to him, “Because you have asked this thing and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself discernment to understand justice, 12 behold, I have done according to your words…

God was pleased with Solomon’s request because Solomon did not make the prayer about himself. He could have asked for a long life, riches, or victory over his enemies, but instead he asked for discernment to understand justice. As king, Solomon understood that he had a responsibility to lead God’s people, and he recognized that he needed God’s wisdom to fulfill that responsibility.

This teaches us that what we ask from God reveals what is important to our hearts. Solomon’s request showed that he valued faithful leadership more than personal comfort, wealth, or power. He wanted the ability to distinguish right from wrong and make decisions that were just and pleasing to God.

PROVERBS 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…

Biblical wisdom begins with reverence for God. To fear the Lord is not merely to be afraid of Him; it is to love Him enough to obey Him. Every act of surrender, every decision to follow His commands, becomes a step toward true wisdom. A heart submitted to God becomes a heart shaped by God.

1 KINGS 3:12 …Behold, I have given you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall one like you arise after you. 13 I have also given you what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that there will not be any among the kings like you all your days.

God therefore gave him the wisdom he requested and, in addition, gave him what he had not asked for—riches and honor. Wisdom was Solomon’s priority, not the blessings. He wanted to know how to fulfill the responsibility God had given him. God honored that heart and blessed him beyond his request. This does not mean that pursuing God guarantees material wealth; rather, it shows that when our desires are aligned with God’s purposes, we can trust Him with the things He chooses to provide.

PROVERBS 8:11 For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her....15 By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice... 17 I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Solomon reminds us that wisdom is more valuable than wealth because it unlocks God’s solutions for life. Leaders need wisdom to govern justly, parents need wisdom to raise children, and every believer needs wisdom to navigate daily decisions. When we diligently seek wisdom, we are ultimately seeking God Himself, for His wisdom always leads us into deeper fellowship with Him.

3. How do we number our days?

PSALMS 39:4 “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.

To number our days means more than counting them; it means assigning value to them. It is living intentionally, recognizing that every day is a gift entrusted to us by God. Since life is fleeting, we must invest it in what matters most.

a. Live Passionately.

Our priorities reveal what we truly value. God comes first, followed by our spouse, our children, our work and ministry, and then others. The purpose of life is not to build our own kingdom but to participate in God’s kingdom. Every day becomes meaningful when it is used to glorify Christ and to share His saving love with others. One day we will give an account for how we spent the time He entrusted to us.

b. Love Completely.

ROMAANS 12:18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.

Numbering our days also means refusing to leave relationships unresolved. We forgive those who have hurt us, seek forgiveness from those we have wronged, and intentionally express love while we still have the opportunity. Christ loved us completely, and He calls us to let others experience that same grace through our lives.

c. Learn Humbly.

JOHN 3;30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

A wise life is a teachable life. Pride says, “I already know enough,” but humility says, “Lord, keep changing me.” As we decrease, Christ increases in us. Numbering our days means continually growing in Christlikeness, allowing God to refine our character until the very end of our lives.

Closing Prayer

Father,

Thank You for reminding us that our days are numbered and that true wisdom comes from You. Help us not to waste the time You have given us. Teach us to live passionately for You, love others completely, and learn humbly as we become more like Christ. Give us wisdom in every decision, every relationship, and every responsibility. May we decrease so that Christ may increase in our lives. When our journey is finished, may we be able to say that we have faithfully used our days for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

The content of this article is adapted from the source below:

Number Our Days

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