“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” – Psalm 139:14 (NIV). 

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed how life could all of a sudden be snapped away. Just as it were there is also the ever present monster of motor accidents which on occasion take life suddenly. It is one thing to see a person full of life but to lose the same person in an instant can be more than devastating. Perhaps by nursing the person long before one can come around with the idea of life going, which is not the case with such sudden deaths.

Because medical science has advanced and with good care of our bodies now we can see in advanced nations like Japan the centenarian population edging over 70,000. But even then, on the whole the words of scripture remain true, “Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. Soon they disappear, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Life is a gift from God. As Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.” On one hand it is tempting to feel one has all the power with life but in reality our control is very much limited.

King Solomon once wrote, “This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them-for this is their lot” (Ecclesiastes 5:18). We should enjoy life where we have it. Later he concludes his long reflection with an enduring advice, “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This we do, because, all of our life belongs to Him.

Prayer for today: Lord Father God, creator of heaven and earth, today I thank you for the gift of life, and may I cherish it, as a treasure, for only you know the number of my days, which all belong to you, this I pray in Jesus's name!