Teach Us to Number Our Days

Teach Us to Number Our Days

by Marsha Iddings

Luke 13:1-5 ¶ There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

Did those who died at Virginia Tech have to die like that because they were worse sinners than others? Jesus would say, "No." But then he would bring it down to a stark reality. "You will perish likewise if you do not repent." You see, they were no greater sinners than you or I are. The Bible says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Sin is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It doesn't matter how big or how tiny the sin is, it all has the same effect in that if you offend in one point you have broken the whole law of God. James 2:10 makes that clear. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." So Jesus brings things down to the most important issue. You must repent. Acts 3:19 says, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"

God knows our days. He knows when our time is up. We might be upset, thinking that those at Virginia Tech should have had more time. I am sure there were those that died who were ready to meet their God that day and others were not. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 90:12, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom." Our focus should be on this. Are we ready to meet God at a moment's notice? Have we repented of our sin? The Virginia Tech Massacre should cause us to pause and realize we have no guarantee of tomorrow. Are we right with God so we'll be ready when our time comes?

Dear Father, These are hard things to think about. Teach us to number our days. Teach us true repentance. Make us ready to meet You at a moment's notice. In Jesus Name, Amen.