Are not my days few?

Job 10:20

Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little.

Job, here in his agony, speaks of the brevity of his life. He says in effect, “If my days are so few, why do you not grant me a reprieve or a repose from my suffering, so that I may take comfort a little?” “Why can’t I enjoy my days?” My days are so few! It is true, very true, and of the strongest veracity to say that our lives are short. The Bible confirms this truth again and again. Our lives are even as a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away, says James. “What is your life?” he asks. “The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow,” says Moses, the man of God. “For it is soon cut off, and we fly away!” Soon cut off! Quick! Transient! Fleeting! Of momentary duration, and temporary existence! The brevity of our lives is evident on every side!

And now, my friend, you may ask, what is the cause of this truth being brought before us today? It is of great importance! It may be that no more pertinent and incumbent truth could be declared! For you see! What will we do with our short lives? They must be utilized for good as long as they endure! And they can be! God can change the world with the few years of a person’s life. History repeats this tale without intermission. David changed a kingdom before fifty years of age; Samuel anointed him and led a nation as a lad. And what of the judges, the prophets, and the seers? Their great life’s work was done before threescore years were expired. The great emperor, Alexander the Great, conquered the world and died just over thirty years of age. And who is the one to whom we all look? Which example surpasses them all, standing head and shoulders above every icon in history? Is it not the Savior of the world? Slain around thirty-three years old? He conquered the sin of the world, defeated the Devil, redeemed mankind, and purchased salvation for all in just a few decades. Time does not need to be an inhibitor, or a barrier to greatness! What great things God can accomplish in so brief a time span!

Brother or sister, with these things in the fore of our minds, and having entered into our hearts, let us consider them. What can the Lord do with you? How can you occupy till He comes? For to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. What can God do with your life wholly given to His will and plan? Will you redeem the time, because the days are evil? There is no telling the mighty use to which God may put a day or a month or a year. Are not my days few? Yes, few in number! But filled with potential! Filled with possibilities! Filled with power when given to God! Your life is a vapor, but may it be a vapor in the hands of our great God!

“Father, we know that our days are few. But we also know that nothing is too little for you to use. Take our little lives, and let them be—consecrated, Lord, to Thee! You are powerful! You are wonderful! Help us to occupy until our Savior returns. And may our lives every day be used for Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”