What You Don't Realize
Psalm 39:4 (NIV)
“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.”
How often do we take the blessings in our lives for granted? It’s easy to overlook the value of what we have until it’s no longer there. Psalm 39:4 captures the fleeting nature of life, reminding us that everything we have is temporary. This realization can make us acutely aware of what we once had only when it’s gone. The inevitability of change and loss often highlights the true value of what we previously overlooked.
Consider the story of King David and his son Absalom. David’s deep sorrow over Absalom’s rebellion and eventual death highlights how a person’s true value often becomes evident only when they are absent. David’s lament, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33, ESV), underscores how David realized Absalom’s worth only in his absence. Similarly, we may not fully appreciate the people and blessings in our lives until they are gone.
In our spiritual walk, we might overlook the preciousness of our relationship with God until we face trials or separation. The prodigal son’s story is another example of realizing what we had only after it was lost. When he was living in plenty, he did not appreciate the security and love of his father’s home. It was only in the depths of his destitution that he understood the value of what he had left behind.
Our journey with God involves recognizing and cherishing the blessings He has given us. Just as the Israelites often forgot God’s provision in times of abundance and remembered only in times of lack, we are called to cultivate a heart of gratitude and awareness. Let us not wait until something is gone to appreciate its worth. Instead, let’s be mindful of the blessings we have and express our thanks to God daily.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for the many blessings You have placed in our lives. Forgive us for the times we have taken Your gifts for granted. Help us to appreciate the value of what we have today and to be grateful for Your constant presence and provision. Open our eyes to see and cherish the blessings around us, and guide us to live with a heart of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.”
How often do we take the blessings in our lives for granted? It’s easy to overlook the value of what we have until it’s no longer there. Psalm 39:4 captures the fleeting nature of life, reminding us that everything we have is temporary. This realization can make us acutely aware of what we once had only when it’s gone. The inevitability of change and loss often highlights the true value of what we previously overlooked.
Consider the story of King David and his son Absalom. David’s deep sorrow over Absalom’s rebellion and eventual death highlights how a person’s true value often becomes evident only when they are absent. David’s lament, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33, ESV), underscores how David realized Absalom’s worth only in his absence. Similarly, we may not fully appreciate the people and blessings in our lives until they are gone.
In our spiritual walk, we might overlook the preciousness of our relationship with God until we face trials or separation. The prodigal son’s story is another example of realizing what we had only after it was lost. When he was living in plenty, he did not appreciate the security and love of his father’s home. It was only in the depths of his destitution that he understood the value of what he had left behind.
Our journey with God involves recognizing and cherishing the blessings He has given us. Just as the Israelites often forgot God’s provision in times of abundance and remembered only in times of lack, we are called to cultivate a heart of gratitude and awareness. Let us not wait until something is gone to appreciate its worth. Instead, let’s be mindful of the blessings we have and express our thanks to God daily.
Prayer:
Lord, we thank You for the many blessings You have placed in our lives. Forgive us for the times we have taken Your gifts for granted. Help us to appreciate the value of what we have today and to be grateful for Your constant presence and provision. Open our eyes to see and cherish the blessings around us, and guide us to live with a heart of gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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