Counting Our Days

by Pastor Mark
January 29, 2026

 

A sobering start

A month has passed and it has been a sobering start to the year. We have seen a number of deaths within the church. We have also heard of the deaths of people we know outside of church. These are vital reminders of how frail life is.

At the same time, some have received not-so-good news about health challenges, which are very difficult to deal with. Again, we are reminded of what life is like, and the plans we have for ourselves and our families can suddenly change quite significantly.

As we end the first month of 2026, which has passed by so quickly, let us ask ourselves how this month has been and whether we have been most efficient with our time. Often, we are so busy with work and life’s commitments that each day goes by far more quickly than we realise. As I consider these things, some thoughts came to mind.

 1. Counting our days

“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

  1. Moses wrote of the brevity of life (Psalm 90:4–5).
  2. Life is compared to a night watch or sleep, it is over all too quickly.
  3. Life is short and transient…it passes by month after month…year after year.
  4. Moses’ challenge is for us to number our days.
  5. It is prudent to count our days, for they are few.
  6. As we count our days, we would be able to gain a heart of wisdom…to guide our ways.
  7. This is a prayer that we should offer to the Lord and to count our days well.

2. Ensuring each day counts

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15–16)

  1. The Apostle Paul gave clear insights concerning the days that we are living in.
  2. They are evil days filled with many troubles and difficulties.
  3. The challenge is for us to walk circumspectly (akribos)…to be careful and alert.
  4. We ought to apply wisdom as we choose to walk cautiously and diligently.
  5. When we foolishly use our time, it is wasted and lost.
  6. When we walk in wisdom, we redeem time…as if we are “buying back” time.
  7. Let us be challenged to ensure that each day counts as we use it wisely.

3. Making each day count for the Lord

As we learn to count our days and ensure each day counts, let us also be challenged to make our time and life count for the Lord. Paul wrote further, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). When we do not think or discern well, we go against God’s will. But when we understand what the will of God is and follow it closely, we will be wise in the use of our day and make it count for Him. The will of God is found in the Scriptures. As we seek to follow and practise the Word of God, we will walk wisely and do His will. Our lives will be lived according to God’s plan and desire. Let us be challenged to fulfill God’s plan in our lives and make a difference in the lives of others.

Let us be challenged to wisely choose to make each day of our lives count for the Lord in the year ahead.

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