If you read through the psalms, you might get the idea that David can’t quite make up his mind. One minute he is full of praise, the next he is lamenting over his sins or his enemies or both. I think there is a clear message there–that God is present, brings joy, and sustains us even when things look really, really, really dark. But that is the subject of another post…

I read Psalm 39 yesterday. I can’t shake what David wrote. It hits very close to home. The psalm reads, in part:

⁴LORD, reveal to me the end of my life
and the number of my days.
Let me know how transitory I am. ⁵ You, indeed, have made my days short in length,
and my life span as nothing in Your sight.
Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor.

Selah

⁶ Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow.
Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain,
gathering possessions
without knowing who will get them.
⁷ Now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in You.

When I was younger, I really felt immortal. I didn’t walk around thinking, “Wow. I really am going to live forever!” But I didn’t think about illness, weakness, or death very much. While I was vibrant and strong, while my extended family was relatively young and healthy, I went about my life as if the end wasn’t near. It seemed so far off.

Age is the great equalizer. As my energy has waned, as my health has become less-than-perfect, as family members have died, had surgery, required biopsies, my perspective is beginning to approach David’s. How much time do I have left? Am I ready to face God? Have I accomplished all that I set out to accomplish?

My wife says this is my mid-life crisis talking. She might be right, but I think David’s words in verse 7 apply regardless of time of life. My hope is in Christ. To put my hope in my failing body or fleeting achievements is, pretty clearly, the path of folly.