Gaining a Heart of Wisdom
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Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12 (NIV)
My four-year-old grandson loves to play a game where he asks how old I will be when he reaches a certain age. He starts with something like, “When I’m 12, how old will you be?” He laughs at the answer and asks again using an older age for himself. He loves to see how large the numbers get. As we continue the game, I’m reminded how quickly time passes. I plan to live a long and healthy life, but I have no idea how many days that will be. With that in mind, my goal is to make the most of my time with him and enjoy every moment.
Moses knew the value of time. He also knew the foundation of wisdom starts by realizing the precious gift of the time that God gives us. In Psalm 90, Moses describes God as Creator of the earth and of time. In verse twelve, he appeals to God for wisdom. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” The entire psalm is an expression of faith in God and recognition of our need for His grace and wisdom. When we accept that God has appointed the number of days in our life it puts life in perspective. Being mindful of the temporary nature of our life and God’s eternal nature guides us as we live our days for Him.
As I spend time with my grandson, part of our conversations are telling him stories of my life and lessons I’ve learned. I pray the wisdom I share will be taken to heart and help shape his character and encourage his love for God. I pray he gains a heart of wisdom.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Our experiences in life, both good and bad, increase our wisdom when we learn from them. Think of examples from your life where experiences affirmed God’s truths. Which of those stories are you able to share with family and friends for their benefit?
2. Who has God placed in your life to pass on the wisdom you have gained? Watch for opportunities to share what God has done for you with someone who needs a word of encouragement or a bit of guidance.
3. Other verses on wisdom to explore are: Proverbs 2, Proverbs 3, Psalm 111:10, and Micah 6:8. What are your favorite Bible passages about wisdom?
