PRÉCIS ON THE CRITICAL NEED TO NUMBER OUR DAYS IN THE LAST TIMES: ‘MAKE THEM COUNT!’

SCRIPTURE. “So teach us to number our days, that we may cultivate and bring to You a heart of wisdom.” – PSALM 90:12, AMP

KEY TERM. “NUMBER.” ‘Manah’ [לִמְנ֣וֹת]: “A primitive root word, ‘To weigh out, to allot or constitute officially; to enumerate or appoint; to prepare, set or tell.’” NOTE: “The verb מָנָה threads through the Old Testament in roughly twenty-eight occurrences, carrying the twin ideas of ‘counting/numbering’ and ‘assigning/appointing.’ These two senses are never far apart: what is carefully counted can also be precisely allotted, and what is appointed has first been reckoned. Scripture uses the root to reveal both the finitude of human life and the meticulous Sovereignty of God, who numbers stars and days, prepares circumstances, and allots portions to kings and commoners alike.”

QUOTATION. “When the winds are picking up, when the sea around you turns from blue to grey, when the sky grows veins of light before you, let your arms become sails. ‘Keep The Lighthouse at your back.’” ― NEIL HILLBORN, Our Numbered Days, 2015; edited

COMMENTARY. “Realizing that life is short helps us to use whatever time we have more wisely and for Eternal Good. Take time to number your days by asking, ‘What can I do to grow in Wisdom before I die? What small [or large] step could I take toward fulfilling God’s Purpose today [and in all the challenging days to follow]?’” – RONALD A. BEERS, General Editor, Life Application Bible, 2022, p. 1248; edited

“So be alert [give strict attention, be cautious and active in faith], for you do not know which day [whether near or far] your Lord is coming.” – JESUS OF NAZARETH, Matthew 24:42, Amplified

DK’S TAKE. The poignancy and urgency of this passage for all of us is powerfully obvious: ‘Beloved: Make every day count from this moment forward!’ FOUR INSTRUCTIONS come rapidly to mind here as we watch the very End of Days roll out right in front of us by the hour. Rendered in the Amplified Bible translation.

• GROW UP!  “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.” – 1 CORINTHIANS 13:11.

• SPEAK UP! “But speaking the truth in love [in all things—both our speech and our lives expressing His truth], let us grow up in all things into Him [following His example] who is the Head”—Christ.” – EPHESIANS 4:15

• HURRY UP! “We must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” – JOHN 9:4

• MAN UP! “Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong.” – 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13

CODA. As I often say: ‘Play Church is over, beloved!’ Antichrist is on scene and animating those First Five Seals (Revelation 6:1-11) more rapidly every day. Vastly more importantly, ‘Jesus is Returning soon!’

It is now all in, or all out. ‘No in between!’ Choose now therefore, whom you shall serve: The god of this world, or Jesus Christ, Lord of the Universe and Judge over all the Earth. Time is nearly up, so indeed:

‘Number your days and make every single one of them count for God and your Neighbor!’ Selah.