The Measure of a Life

Show me, O LORD, my life’s end
       and the number of my days;
       let me know how fleeting is my life.

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
       the span of my years is as nothing before you.
       Each man’s life is but a breath.
       Selah                   Psalm 39:4, 5

 Props: a tape measure

             God has given each one of you life.  How long will your life be?  (Allow for response).  You don’t know?  Of course you don’t!  (Begin opening tape measure).  Unless you have seen this tape measure before, you don’t know how long it is.  The same is true of your life.  Only God knows how long your life will be.  Some people live for just a short time.  Others live for many years.  

            (Read Psalm 39:4, 5).  King David wrote these words.  He understood that life is short, even if your life lasts 100 years.  It goes by so quickly.  He also knew that it’s not how long you live, but how you live and what you do with your time that matters.  (Pull tape measure out half way).  King David used many of his years for God—serving Him, worshiping Him and leading His people.  But He also wasted some of His time chasing after His own desires.  At the end of his life, he knew that His time spent for God was what really counted.     

            (Pull out tape measure all the way).  How about you?  How do you use your time?  Life is short.  Use your time for God.  Then no matter how long—or short—your life is, it will count for eternity.