Yes! The Bible teaches that God has numbered our days and that the number of our days is pre-set. This concept appears in verses like Psalm 139:16, which says, “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be,” and Job 14:5, stating, “Since his days are determined and the number of his months is appointed by you”. This understanding is often paired with the exhortation to “number our days” to gain a heart of wisdom, urging believers to live with purpose.
Key biblical verses
- Psalm 139:16: “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be”.
- Job 14:5: “Since his days are determined and the number of his months is appointed by you”.
- Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”.
- Exodus 23:26: “The number of your days God will fulfill”.
Meaning and interpretation
- This belief emphasizes God’s sovereignty over life and death, suggesting that our time on Earth is not random but part of His plan.
- The call to “number our days” is not about living a life of fear or a fatalistic mindset, but about living with wisdom and purpose.
- Understanding that our days are numbered encourages people to make the most of the time they have, focusing on what is eternally valuable and aligning their actions with God’s will.
- The idea is that this knowledge should lead to a life of greater wisdom, allowing believers to prioritize what truly matters rather than getting distracted by temporary things.
“The Lord knows the number of our days” is a biblical concept suggesting that human lifespans are finite and predetermined by God. This idea is rooted in scriptures like Psalm 139:16, which states that all days are written in God’s book, and Job 14:5, which says a person’s days are determined by God. The related phrase “teach us to number our days” from Psalm 90:12 is a prayer asking God to help people recognize the brevity of life so they can live with wisdom and purpose.
God’s sovereignty: The belief implies that God has an appointed time for each person’s life and has a plan for it.
Brevity of life: This concept is often paired with the wisdom of acknowledging that life is short and transient, like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
Living with wisdom: Knowing life is limited is seen as a call to live intentionally, not in fear, but with purpose and to make the most of the time given.
Prayer for wisdom: Psalm 90:12 is a prayer asking for divine guidance to understand the value of time, which leads to gaining a “heart of wisdom”.
We need to read and know what can occur if we pray and that set number is changed!
The biblical account of king Hezekiah in the Old Testament book of 2 Kings. After being told by the prophet Isaiah that he would die from his illness, Hezekiah prayed fervently, and God responded by healing him and adding 15 years to his life.
- The illness and prophecy: King Hezekiah was “sick unto death” and the prophet Isaiah delivered God’s message: “Set your house in order: for you shall die, and not live”.
- Hezekiah’s prayer: Hezekiah turned to the wall, prayed to the Lord, and wept, reminding God of his faithful service.
- God’s response: God heard his prayer, saw his tears, and told Isaiah to go back and tell Hezekiah: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you… and I will add fifteen years to your life”.
- The sign: To prove the promise, Hezekiah asked for a sign. God had the shadow on King Ahaz’s sundial move backward ten degrees, which it did.
- The healing: The passage then describes Hezekiah’s recovery, including a miraculous sign of healing from a boil, and his return to worshipping at the temple.
We need to understand what occurred! In his final years, king Hezekiah became prideful after recovering from his illness and showing his treasures to Babylonian envoys. This led to a prophetic warning that his sons would be taken and castrated. Hezekiah ultimately died and was succeeded by his son, Manasseh.
The Bible considers pride a destructive and sinful trait that leads to downfall, disgrace, and separation from God. It is described as an attitude of self-exaltation that takes credit for things God has done, leading to consequences such as God resisting the proud and tearing down the house of the proud. In contrast, the Bible states that humility is essential for wisdom, honor, and receiving God’s grace.
Key points about pride in the Bible:
- Pride is a source of destruction: The Bible frequently warns that “pride goes before a downfall, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
- It leads to disgrace: “When pride comes, then comes shame, but with the lowly is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).
- Pride is an affront to God: The Bible says that “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).
- Pride is a root of evil: It is listed among other evil things that come from within a person and defile them, such as “evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, and pride” (Mark 7:20-23).
- It is an abomination to the Lord: Proverbs 16:5 states, “Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; they will not go unpunished”.
The path to avoiding pride:
- Embrace humility: The Bible encourages humility as the path to wisdom and honor. Proverbs 15:33 says, “The fear of the LORD teaches wisdom, and humility comes before honor”.
- Give glory to God: True accomplishment should be attributed to God. The Bible asks, “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).
- Seek God’s help: The Bible promotes humility in seeking God, noting that “God lives in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit” (Isaiah 57:15).
- Humble yourself: As 1 Peter 5:6 advises, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time”.
A few topics are addressed in this share! Yes, our lifespan is Known unto God! Let me take this opportunity to contrast king Hezekiah’s downfall with a Man – king David whose life was spared by God and in contrast, king David lived the rest of his days under God…
Yes, he did live his remaining days in service to God and in fulfillment of God’s will. After his son’s death, David’s reaction was to stop his grief-stricken fasting and to worship God. According to the Bible, he “served God’s purpose in his own generation” before he died.
- After the death of his son: David stopped fasting, mourning, and pleading once he realized the child’s death was the will of the Lord. He got up, bathed, and was clothed, and then went to worship God.
- Serving his generation: The Bible states that David “served God’s purpose in his own generation” before his death. This phrase suggests he fulfilled the service God had set for him during his life and remained active in his role as king, despite the hardships that followed the loss of his son, such as the strife in his household.
- Continuing his service: David’s life after this event was characterized by continued service to God, including his work in preparing for the building of the temple and in his final instructions to his son Solomon to continue the work of God.
I want to point out a significant Bible verse:
It is important to know and realize that God knows our future and all our activities. This is why we need to submit all our days to God!
Submitting your days to God means placing your life, plans, and desires under divine guidance through practices like prayer, scripture, and seeking His will. This involves a daily, conscious choice to acknowledge God’s control, surrender your need for personal control, and live a life of humility and worship. It is seen as offering yourself as a living sacrifice and trusting that His plan is ultimate, even when it requires stepping outside of your comfort zone.
How to submit your days to God
- Pray continuously: Seek God’s guidance throughout the day, not just once.
- Seek His Word: Read scripture to understand His will and purpose for your life.
- Give up the need for control: Recognize that God is in ultimate control of your success and future.
- Live a life of worship: Dedicate your time to honoring God through music, reflection, and prayer.
- Embrace contentment: Find contentment in God’s blessings and avoid seeking the approval of others.
- Be willing to say “no”: If God advises against a commitment, have the courage to decline, even if it’s difficult.
- Offer your whole self: Surrender your body, soul, desires, and dreams to Him.
Biblical basis for submission
- Romans 12:1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship”.
- James 4:7: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”.
- Luke 9:23-24: Jesus said that to follow him, one must “deny himself and take up his cross daily”.
- Psalm 20:7: “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God”.
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To understand why David was a man after God’s own heart, we need to see what characteristics he had to qualify for such an exalted description. In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul speaks of God’s feelings about King David: “After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do’” (Acts 13:22). The answer to why David was considered a man after God’s own heart is found right in the verse: David did whatever God wanted him to do. An obvious question is how could God still call David a man after His own heart when David committed such terrible sins, including adultery and murder
While king David is not a perfect model, being “a man after God’s own heart” means having a sincere and repentant heart that prioritizes loyalty and obedience to God, even amid flaws and mistakes. It’s about desiring to please God and responding to His will, rather than achieving perfection. David’s story shows that a desire to return to God after sinning, and a life of praise and prayer, can be seen as evidence of this type of heart.
Key qualities of David’s character
- Prioritized God: David’s heart was set on God, as seen in his unwavering loyalty and desire to serve Him above all else.
- Repentant: When confronted with his sins, David did not make excuses but genuinely repented, which is a key aspect of his relationship with God.
- Faithful: Despite his shortcomings, his heart was always loyal to God, and he demonstrated immense faith, notably in his courage to face Goliath when others would not.
- Willing to learn: God saw in David a heart that would learn and respond to His instruction, demonstrating a willingness to be shaped and led by Him.
- Expressive in prayer: The Psalms, written by David, show a life poured out to God in every circumstance, even in his sorrow and repentance.
How to emulate David
- Focus on your heart’s desire: The goal isn’t perfection, but a heart that desires to align with God’s will.
- Respond with repentance: When you make mistakes, acknowledge them and return to God, rather than justifying or blaming others.
- Strive for obedience: Be willing to do whatever God asks, even when it is difficult.
- Cultivate a life of prayer: Like David, pour out your heart to God in prayer through every circumstance of life.
There is a reason we are born: the Bible does present reasons for human existence: to be created in God’s image, to serve Him, to have a relationship with Him, and to prepare for an eternal future. This purpose is central to Christian faith, explaining that individuals are not accidents but are purposefully created to glorify God and live in His love and will.
Reasons for human existence according to the Bible:
Created in God’s image: Humans were created in the image and likeness of God, giving each person intrinsic value and dignity.
Glorify and serve God: A primary purpose is to know, glorify, and serve God in all aspects of life. This can be accomplished through unique talents, gifts, and daily tasks.
Purposeful creation: God created humanity intentionally, with a purpose to love and be loved by Him and to love others.
Preparation for eternity: Believers are to prepare for eternity and an afterlife with God, which is seen as a higher purpose than worldly pursuits.
Reconciliation: Because of sin, Jesus’s death is presented as the way for humans to be reconciled to God, receiving His forgiveness and Love.