July-22-0473-Living wisely in this brief life
473_Living wisely in this brief life Psalm 39 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! Selah 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! Selah 12 “Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. 13 Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!” A wealthy businessman was enjoying a leisurely vacation by the seaside when he spotted a fisherman lounging by his small boat. Curious, the businessman asked, “Why aren’t you out catching more fish?” The fisherman replied, “I’ve caught enough for today.” The businessman scoffed, “But if you fished more, you could earn more money, buy a bigger boat, catch even more fish, eventually own a fleet, and make a fortune.” The fisherman looked up calmly and asked, “Then what?” The businessman, caught off guard, stammered, “Well… then you can retire, relax, and enjoy life.” The fisherman smiled, “That’s exactly what I’m doing now.” This simple story exposes a deep truth: many people race through life without ever pausing to enjoy it. They pursue wealth, fame, and their dreams. They assume there will always be time to enjoy the fruit of their labor—only to realize, too late, how brief life is. In Psalm 39, David wrestles with this truth. David begins with his attempt to guard his tongue against sin. He has resolved to remain silent in the presence of the wicked. He knew that speaking rashly or unwisely could dishonor God. This is the image of a man straining to restrain himself, not because he has nothing to say, but because he recognizes that the circumstances are wrong. As the Lord Jesus warned in Matthew 7:6,