“A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed”—Job 14:5 (NIV).
On Christmas morning, as I was reading one of my daily devotionals, something I’d never thought about grabbed my attention. Forty days and forty years are significant in the Bible. However, while reading my daily devotional, the number forty weeks was mentioned.
The devotional, written by O.S. Hawkins, appears in his book titled, “The Believer’s Code.” He writes, “Jesus came to earth as a helpless, tiny seed planted in the womb of a young Jewish virgin. Forty weeks later, Jesus was born in a filthy stable.”
When I googled the length of a pregnancy, I discovered differing opinions for this gestation time. Some sites base the time period on the number of days in a month. However, according to several sites, the average length of pregnancy is counted at 40 weeks.
Jesus Wasn’t Average
We know, however, that Jesus wasn’t your average child. Born of a virgin as God’s only Son, He came to save us from ourselves. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).
God’s indescribable gift was born for such a time as this. His days were pre-determined, His ministry a mere three years, and His lifespan, only 33.
We, too, have been born at just the right time. Our parents were chosen for us. Whether we’re born at 40 weeks, or earlier or later, it’s all part of God’s plan. The length of our lives is in His hands.
The Passing of Time
One thing that marks the passing of time is not my birthdays. I know I’m getting older. Instead, it’s the daily things. As I write this, there are only six days left in the current devotional I’m reading. That means only six days left in 2021. Then, I’ll begin a new devotional for 2022.
Yesterday, a Friday, my trash was picked up by the city. Before I know it, it will be time to put my trash can out again. That’s when I realize how time is speeding by, and I want to make the most of the time God has given me.
Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us how short our lives really are so that we may be wise (NCV).
The Brevity of Our Lives
In our youth, time crept by as we lived in anticipation of Christmas. We counted the days until we could see what the gaily wrapped packages under the tree contained. Wisdom wasn’t our ideal gift.
Hopefully, as time passes, we become wiser. We begin to realize what really counts in life. It’s not the packages under the tree, but the time spent with loved ones.
Let’s not be distracted by the things in life that don’t really matter. Let us not waste time and energy, looking back with regret. We have no idea what tomorrow holds. As the New Year approaches, Lord, teach us not to count the days but to make the days count for Your kingdom.
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